Moving from Charleston, SC to Waco, TX
It is 1124 mi between Charleston and Waco β roughly 21h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1124 mi Β· 21h 3m by car Β· SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | North Charleston, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.3% cheaper overall in Waco than Charleston on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 37.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.68 |
Waco households earn about 8.3% less than Charleston at the median β $90,038 β $51,468 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Waco average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Waco more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 8.3% lower than Charleston (92.55 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 Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1124 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 42.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1124 mi and the route typically takes 21h 3m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 67.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Waco, TX.