Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to North Charleston, SC
It is 1135 mi between Oklahoma City and North Charleston — roughly 20h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1135 mi · 20h 36m by car · OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA → 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 | North 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 |
North Charleston runs about 11.7% more expensive overall than Oklahoma City — RPP 90.408 → 100.962.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $206,713 in Oklahoma City to $309,522 in North Charleston, a 11.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, North Charleston -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 0.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 52.5" |
Annual temperature rises 6.4°F moving to North Charleston per NOAA 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: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 117,460 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $62,789 |
| Median age | 35 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 18.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.47 |
Households in North Charleston earn about 11.7% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 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 — 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
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City 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 1135 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is North Charleston more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in North 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.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and North Charleston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.5°F in North Charleston vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (6.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.3 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 52.5 in vs 36.4 in.
How does the job market in North Charleston compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the North 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 North Charleston compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,522 in North Charleston vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 49.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs North Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,789 in North Charleston vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 5.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is North Charleston, SC from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 1135 mi and the route typically takes 20h 36m 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 · North Charleston, SC.