Moving from Allen, TX to North Charleston, SC
It is 1087 mi between Allen and North Charleston 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.
1087 mi Β· 19h 60m by car Β· SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Charleston, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allen | North Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 119.77 | 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% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Allen -6.4%, North Charleston -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allen | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 52.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in North Charleston β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US, CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allen | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 117,460 |
| Median household income | $129,130 | $62,789 |
| Median age | 38.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 18.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.47 |
North Charleston households earn about 2.1% less than Allen at the median β $129,130 β $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 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 North Charleston average 91Β°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 β 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
How does household income compare in Allen vs North Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,789 in North Charleston vs $129,130 in Allen β a 51.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Allen to North Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1087 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is North Charleston, SC from Allen, TX?
The driving distance is 1087 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.
Is North Charleston more expensive than Allen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in North Charleston is 2.1% lower than Allen (100.962 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in North Charleston compared to Allen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,522 in North Charleston vs $493,532 in Allen β a 37.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in North Charleston compare to Allen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA vs $48,440 in the Allen MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allen.
City profiles: Allen, TX Β· North Charleston, SC.