Moving from Charleston, SC to Concord, NC
Moving from Charleston, SC to Concord, NC covers 223 mi and about 4h 24m by car through 2 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.
223 mi Β· 4h 24m by car Β· SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 26, I 77, US 21 |
| Major cities en route | North Charleston, Columbia, Charlotte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Concord and Charleston are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.962 vs 97.348); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Concord typical home at $382,592 is 3.6% under Charleston at $589,607 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 47.9" |
Concord is 6.5Β°F cooler on the annual average (67.2Β°F vs 60.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Expect 3.3 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.88 |
Median household income in Concord is 3.6% below Charleston ($90,038 β $84,752, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Concord MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 150,700 | $43,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 147,550 | $37,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 135,930 | $37,730 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 110,080 | $82,720 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,770 | $29,110 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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 Concord average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 35.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Concord more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 3.6% lower than Charleston (97.348 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Concord, NC from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 223 mi and the route typically takes 4h 24m via I 26 and I 77. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 223 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 5.9% lower 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 Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Concord, NC.