Moving from Charleston, SC to Amarillo, TX
A move from Charleston, SC to Amarillo, TX covers 1399 mi and around 25h 11m of driving through 8 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1399 mi Β· 25h 11m by car Β· TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | 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 | Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.962 to 91.82, putting Amarillo roughly 9.1% below Charleston on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Amarillo: 9.1% below Charleston on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | β |
Amarillo is 10.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (67.2Β°F vs 56.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.56 |
Median household income in Amarillo is 9.1% below Charleston ($90,038 vs $62,469, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Amarillo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,710 | $37,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,610 | $26,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,220 | $37,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,020 | $29,500 |
| Production Occupations | 9,370 | $39,900 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- 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 Amarillo average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.3Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1399 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1399 mi and the route typically takes 25h 11m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 64.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 30.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 9.1% lower than Charleston (91.82 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Amarillo, TX.