Moving from Birmingham, AL to Charleston, SC
Moving from Birmingham, AL to Charleston, SC covers 442 mi and about 8h 29m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
442 mi Β· 8h 29m by car Β· AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 26, US 178 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Columbia, North Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.2% pricier overall in Charleston than Birmingham on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Charleston typical home at $589,607 is 10.2% above Birmingham at $135,870 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Charleston +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 44.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.9Β°F vs 67.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, CHARLESTON CITY, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 152,014 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 35.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Charleston is 10.2% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $90,038, ACS 5-year 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 Alabama 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
- 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 Birmingham vs Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Charleston vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 102.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Charleston, SC from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 442 mi and the route typically takes 8h 29m via I 20 and I 26. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Charleston compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the Charleston MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Charleston more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Charleston is 10.2% higher than Birmingham (100.962 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Charleston compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $589,607 in Charleston vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 333.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 442 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL Β· Charleston, SC.