Moving from North Charleston, SC to Amarillo, TX
The drive from North Charleston, SC to Amarillo, TX runs 1391 mi β about 24h 59m 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.
1391 mi Β· 24h 59m by car Β· TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Amarillo is 9.1% cheaper than North Charleston overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Amarillo is 9.1% below North Charleston β $309,522 vs $206,787 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | North Charleston | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | β |
Climate cools by 9.6Β°F on the annual average β 66.5Β°F β 56.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.56 |
Median household incomes in North Charleston ($62,789) and Amarillo ($62,469) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Amarillo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,710 | $37,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,610 | $26,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,220 | $37,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,020 | $29,500 |
| Production Occupations | 9,370 | $39,900 |
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.
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 Amarillo average 92Β°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 Amarillo more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 9.1% lower than North Charleston (91.82 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from North Charleston to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1391 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 Amarillo compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $309,522 in North Charleston β a 33.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Amarillo, TX from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1391 mi and the route typically takes 24h 59m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in North Charleston vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $62,789 in North Charleston β a 0.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 120,310 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 North Charleston.
City profiles: North Charleston, SC Β· Amarillo, TX.