Moving from Jackson, MS to North Charleston, SC
A move from Jackson, MS to North Charleston, SC covers 672 mi and around 12h 34m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
672 mi Β· 12h 34m by car Β· MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β AL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 26, I 459 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | North Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 13.4% pricier overall in North Charleston than Jackson on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: North Charleston typical home at $309,522 is 13.4% above Jackson at $87,256 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, North Charleston -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 52.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.0Β°F vs 66.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: North Charleston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 117,460 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $62,789 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 18.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.47 |
Median household income in North Charleston is 13.4% above Jackson ($43,238 vs $62,789, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in North 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 Mississippi 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in North Charleston average 91Β°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: North Charleston averages 52.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
How does the job market in North Charleston compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Jackson vs North Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,789 in North Charleston vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 45.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in North Charleston compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,522 in North Charleston vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 254.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is North Charleston, SC from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 672 mi and the route typically takes 12h 34m via I 20 and I 26. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jackson to North Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 672 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is North Charleston more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in North Charleston is 13.4% higher than Jackson (100.962 vs 89.048, 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 Jackson.
City profiles: Jackson, MS Β· North Charleston, SC.