Moving from Charleston, SC to Inglewood, CA
A 2483 mi cross-country move between Charleston and Inglewood is 43h 54m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2483 mi Β· 43h 54m by car Β· SC β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | SC β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, I 22 |
| Major cities en route | North Charleston, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Inglewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Inglewood runs about 12.5% more expensive overall than Charleston β RPP 100.962 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $589,607 in Charleston to $763,568 in Inglewood, a 12.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Inglewood +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 11.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 67.2Β°F vs 64.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 105,575 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $71,029 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 16.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.93 |
Inglewood households earn about 12.5% less than Charleston at the median β $90,038 β $71,029 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Inglewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Inglewood sees only 11.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Inglewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,029 in Inglewood vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 21.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Inglewood compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Inglewood compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $763,568 in Inglewood vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 29.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Inglewood more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Inglewood is 12.5% higher than Charleston (113.566 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 Inglewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2483 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Inglewood, CA from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 2483 mi and the route typically takes 43h 54m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Inglewood, CA.