Moving from Charleston, SC to Philadelphia, PA
It is 676 mi between Charleston and Philadelphia β roughly 13h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
676 mi Β· 13h 3m by car Β· PA β DE β MD β DC β VA β NC β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β DE β MD β DC β VA β NC β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 395, I 26 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria, Richmond, Fayetteville, North Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Charleston and Philadelphia sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $589,607 in Charleston to $231,815 in Philadelphia, a 1.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 50.7" |
Annual temperature drops 9.5Β°F moving to Philadelphia per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.36 |
Philadelphia households earn about 1.6% less than Charleston at the median β $90,038 β $60,698 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 32.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 1.6% higher than Charleston (102.554 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 676 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 60.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 676 mi and the route typically takes 13h 3m via I 95 and I 395. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Philadelphia, PA.