Moving from North Charleston, SC to Albuquerque, NM
Cross-country relocations like North Charleston, SC β Albuquerque, NM cover 1677 mi and about 29h 49m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1677 mi Β· 29h 49m by car Β· NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Albuquerque is 5.4% cheaper than North Charleston overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Albuquerque is 5.4% above North Charleston ($344,457 vs $309,522 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | North Charleston | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | β |
Climate cools by 9.8Β°F on the annual average β 66.5Β°F β 56.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.32 |
Median household incomes in North Charleston ($62,789) and Albuquerque ($65,604) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Albuquerque MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,500 | $39,300 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 36,930 | $28,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 33,230 | $33,280 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,010 | $38,960 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,950 | $81,890 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and New Mexico
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Mexico'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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 Albuquerque average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 New Mexico after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in North Charleston vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $62,789 in North Charleston β a 4.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 5.4% lower than North Charleston (95.546 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from North Charleston to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1677 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Albuquerque, NM from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1677 mi and the route typically takes 29h 49m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Albuquerque compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $309,522 in North Charleston β a 11.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Albuquerque compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from North Charleston.
City profiles: North Charleston, SC Β· Albuquerque, NM.