Moving from Memphis, TN to North Charleston, SC
The drive from Memphis, TN to North Charleston, SC runs 663 mi — about 12h 28m 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.
663 mi · 12h 28m by car · TN → MS → AL → GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → MS → AL → GA → SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 78, I 26 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | North Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.5% pricier overall in North Charleston than Memphis on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: North Charleston typical home at $309,522 is 9.5% above Memphis at $144,710 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, North Charleston -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 52.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.4°F vs 66.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: North Charleston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 117,460 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $62,789 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 18.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.47 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.5% between Memphis 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 Tennessee 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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
How much do homes cost in North Charleston compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,522 in North Charleston vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 113.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs North Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,789 in North Charleston vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 22.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and North Charleston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.5°F in North Charleston vs 63.4°F in Memphis (3.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.3 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 52.5 in vs 54.9 in.
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 663 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 Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 663 mi and the route typically takes 12h 28m via I 20 and US 78. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is North Charleston more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in North Charleston is 9.5% higher than Memphis (100.962 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in North Charleston compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 625,340 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 Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · North Charleston, SC.