Moving from Ontario, CA to Charleston, SC
It is 2433 mi and 42h 55m from Ontario to Charleston β a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2433 mi Β· 42h 55m 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
| Ontario | Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Charleston at 100.962 vs Ontario at 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 5.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Charleston +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 44.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Ontario (66.8Β°F) and Charleston (67.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, CHARLESTON CITY, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 152,014 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 35.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.29 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.1% higher in Charleston than Ontario.
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 California 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
- 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
- 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 much do homes cost in Charleston compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $589,607 in Charleston vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 12.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2433 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 Charleston compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the Charleston MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Charleston, SC from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 2433 mi and the route typically takes 42h 55m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Charleston more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Charleston is 5.1% lower than Ontario (100.962 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Charleston vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 8.7% 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 Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Charleston, SC.