Moving from North Charleston, SC to Ontario, CA
A 2425 mi cross-country move between North Charleston and Ontario is 42h 42m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2425 mi Β· 42h 42m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β 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 | Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, Irvine, Moreno Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.4% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $309,522 to $672,742 moving to Ontario.
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | North Charleston | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in North Charleston (66.5Β°F) and Ontario (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 3.39 |
Ontario households earn about 5.4% more than North Charleston at the median β $62,789 β $82,806 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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 Ontario average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Ontario sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Ontario compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Ontario, CA from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 2425 mi and the route typically takes 42h 42m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $309,522 in North Charleston β a 117.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in North Charleston vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $62,789 in North Charleston β a 31.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Ontario more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 5.4% higher than North Charleston (106.442 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 Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2425 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Ontario, CA.