Moving from Waco, TX to North Charleston, SC
It is 1115 mi between Waco and North Charleston — roughly 20h 50m 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.
1115 mi · 20h 50m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Shreveport, Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | North Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 9.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $194,245 to $309,522 moving to North Charleston.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, North Charleston -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 52.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Waco (66.6°F) and North Charleston (66.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
North Charleston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 117,460 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $62,789 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 18.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.47 |
North Charleston households earn about 9.1% more than Waco at the median — $51,468 → $62,789 on ACS 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 Texas 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.
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
Is North Charleston more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in North Charleston is 9.1% higher than Waco (100.962 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 1115 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Waco and North Charleston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.5°F in North Charleston vs 66.6°F in Waco (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.3 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 52.5 in vs 37.5 in.
How does the job market in North Charleston compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Waco vs North Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,789 in North Charleston vs $51,468 in Waco — a 22.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is North Charleston, SC from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1115 mi and the route typically takes 20h 50m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in North Charleston compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,522 in North Charleston vs $194,245 in Waco — a 59.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · North Charleston, SC.