Moving from Charleston, SC to Durham, NC
It is a 301 mi drive, roughly 5h 41m, between Charleston, SC and Durham, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
301 mi Β· 5h 41m by car Β· NC β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 26, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Raleigh, Fayetteville, North Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Durham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 97.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 89.317 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 98.934 | 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
3.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Durham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 48.6" |
Annual temperature drops 8.8Β°F moving to Durham per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, DURHAM, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 288,465 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $79,234 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 28.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.34 |
Households in Durham earn about 3.4% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Durham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 37,060 | $71,120 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,210 | $45,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 27,730 | $63,500 |
| Management Occupations | 27,600 | $133,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 27,050 | $82,000 |
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
- 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 Durham compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,395 in Durham vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 32.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Durham compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,480 in the Durham MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 336,100 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Durham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,234 in Durham vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 12.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Durham, NC from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 301 mi and the route typically takes 5h 41m via I 95 and I 26. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Durham more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Durham is 3.4% lower than Charleston (97.572 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Durham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 301 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 Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Durham, NC.