Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Charleston, SC
Relocating 1143 mi from Oklahoma City to Charleston is a 20h 48m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1143 mi Β· 20h 48m by car Β· OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | 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 | Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham, South Fulton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Charleston runs about 11.7% more expensive overall than Oklahoma City β RPP 90.408 β 100.962.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $206,713 in Oklahoma City to $589,607 in Charleston, a 11.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Charleston +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 44.3" |
Expect 7.1Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, CHARLESTON CITY, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 152,014 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 35 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 35.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to rise 11.7% β $66,702 β $90,038 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Oklahoma 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.
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
- 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 does the job market in Charleston compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the Charleston MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Charleston compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $589,607 in Charleston vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City β a 185.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Charleston vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City β a 35.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City to Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1143 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Charleston more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Charleston is 11.7% higher than Oklahoma City (100.962 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Charleston, SC from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 1143 mi and the route typically takes 20h 48m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK Β· Charleston, SC.