Moving from Denton, TX to Charleston, SC
It is 1116 mi between Denton and Charleston β roughly 20h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1116 mi Β· 20h 36m by car Β· SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| 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
| Denton | Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 119.77 | 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
2.1% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Denton -4.4%, Charleston +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denton | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.4" | 44.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, CHARLESTON CITY, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denton | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | 152,014 |
| Median household income | $73,719 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 31 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 35.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.29 |
Charleston households earn about 2.1% more than Denton at the median β $73,719 β $90,038 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Charleston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,720 | $41,590 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,780 | $28,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 36,680 | $34,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,150 | $38,280 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,230 | $79,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and South Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check South 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October.
- 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 South Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Denton to Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1116 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 Denton vs Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Charleston vs $73,719 in Denton β a 22.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Charleston compare to Denton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the Charleston MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Charleston, SC from Denton, TX?
The driving distance is 1116 mi and the route typically takes 20h 36m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Charleston compared to Denton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $589,607 in Charleston vs $354,135 in Denton β a 66.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Charleston more expensive than Denton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Charleston is 2.1% lower than Denton (100.962 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denton.
City profiles: Denton, TX Β· Charleston, SC.