Moving from Irving, TX to North Charleston, SC
The drive from Irving, TX to North Charleston, SC runs 1083 mi — about 20h on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1083 mi · 20h by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irving | North Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in North Charleston and Irving is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in North Charleston is 2.1% below Irving ($309,522 vs $341,503 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Irving -2.6%, North Charleston -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irving | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.6" | 0.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.0" | 52.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Irving (66.6°F) and North Charleston (66.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
North Charleston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US, CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irving | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 117,460 |
| Median household income | $79,641 | $62,789 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.8% | 18.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.47 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.1% between Irving and North Charleston (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in North Charleston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,720 | $41,590 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,780 | $28,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 36,680 | $34,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,150 | $38,280 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,230 | $79,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and South Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check South Carolina'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 North Charleston average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: North Charleston averages 52.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October.
- 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 South Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Irving and North Charleston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.5°F in North Charleston vs 66.6°F in Irving (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.3 in vs 1.6 in. Annual precipitation: 52.5 in vs 37.0 in.
How does household income compare in Irving vs North Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,789 in North Charleston vs $79,641 in Irving — a 21.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in North Charleston compared to Irving?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,522 in North Charleston vs $341,503 in Irving — a 9.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in North Charleston compare to Irving?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA vs $48,440 in the Irving MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is North Charleston more expensive than Irving?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in North Charleston is 2.1% lower than Irving (100.962 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Irving to North Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1083 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is North Charleston, SC from Irving, TX?
The driving distance is 1083 mi and the route typically takes 20h via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 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 Irving.
City profiles: Irving, TX · North Charleston, SC.