Moving from Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL
Moving from Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL covers 239 mi and about 4h 43m 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.
239 mi Β· 4h 43m by car Β· FL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 17, SC 7 |
| Major cities en route | Savannah, North Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Charleston (100.962) and Jacksonville (99.484) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Jacksonville: 1.5% below Charleston on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 47.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Jacksonville β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.5 |
Median household income in Jacksonville is 1.5% below Charleston ($90,038 vs $66,981, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Jacksonville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 52.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 1.5% lower than Charleston (99.484 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 239 mi and the route typically takes 4h 43m via I 95 and US 17. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 25.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 239 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· Jacksonville, FL.