Moving from North Charleston, SC to Plano, TX
It is 1084 mi between North Charleston and Plano β roughly 19h 60m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1084 mi Β· 19h 60m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Mckinney, Denton, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.1% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | North Charleston | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.6 |
Plano households earn about 2.1% more than North Charleston at the median β $62,789 β $108,649 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Plano average 94Β°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
When is the best time to move from North Charleston to Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1084 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Plano compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Plano compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $309,522 in North Charleston β a 61.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Plano more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 2.1% higher than North Charleston (103.09 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Plano, TX from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1084 mi and the route typically takes 19h 60m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in North Charleston vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $62,789 in North Charleston β a 73.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Plano, TX.