Moving from Charleston, SC to Memphis, TN
The drive from Charleston, SC to Memphis, TN runs 671 mi β about 12h 40m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
671 mi Β· 12h 40m by car Β· TN β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β MS β AL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 78, I 26 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.962 to 92.179, putting Memphis roughly 8.7% 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 Memphis: 8.7% below Charleston on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 54.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.47 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 8.7% between Charleston and Memphis (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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 Memphis average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Memphis more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 8.7% lower than Charleston (92.179 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 75.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 625,340 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 Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 43.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 671 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Memphis, TN from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 671 mi and the route typically takes 12h 40m via I 20 and US 78. The trip crosses 5 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· Memphis, TN.