Moving from North Charleston, SC to Bakersfield, CA
It is 2480 mi and 43h 46m from North Charleston to Bakersfield β a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2480 mi Β· 43h 46m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β 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 | Lancaster, Victorville, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Bakersfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 100.886 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 158.257 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 90.291 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 100.962 vs 100.886 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.1% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $309,522 to $396,047 moving to Bakersfield.
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Bakersfield -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | North Charleston | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 6.7" |
Annual average temperatures in North Charleston (66.5Β°F) and Bakersfield (65.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 408,366 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $77,397 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 3.2 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.1% β $62,789 β $77,397 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Bakersfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 39,670 | $33,500 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 36,890 | $33,490 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 34,910 | $44,030 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,340 | $45,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 28,110 | $33,580 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 Bakersfield average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Bakersfield sees only 6.7 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from North Charleston to Bakersfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2480 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Bakersfield more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Bakersfield is 0.1% lower than North Charleston (100.886 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Bakersfield compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,047 in Bakersfield vs $309,522 in North Charleston β a 28.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in North Charleston vs Bakersfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,397 in Bakersfield vs $62,789 in North Charleston β a 23.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Bakersfield compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 330,270 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Bakersfield, CA from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 2480 mi and the route typically takes 43h 46m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 11 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 North Charleston.
City profiles: North Charleston, SC Β· Bakersfield, CA.