Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Charleston, SC
Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Charleston, SC covers 239 mi and about 4h 43m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
239 mi Β· 4h 43m by car Β· FL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 17, SC 7 |
| Major cities en route | Savannah, North Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Charleston and Jacksonville are close on the overall BEA RPP (99.484 vs 100.962); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Charleston typical home at $589,607 is 1.5% above Jacksonville at $282,895 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Charleston +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jacksonville | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 44.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 71.4Β°F vs 67.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, CHARLESTON CITY, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 152,014 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 35.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Charleston is 1.5% above Jacksonville ($66,981 vs $90,038, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in 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 Florida 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 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
- 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
How much do homes cost in Charleston compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $589,607 in Charleston vs $282,895 in Jacksonville β a 108.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Charleston compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the Charleston MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Charleston vs $66,981 in Jacksonville β a 34.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Charleston, SC from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 239 mi and the route typically takes 4h 43m via I 95 and US 17. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville to Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 239 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Charleston more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Charleston is 1.5% higher than Jacksonville (100.962 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL Β· Charleston, SC.