Moving from North Charleston, SC to Knoxville, TN
It is a 362 mi drive, roughly 6h 57m, between North Charleston, SC and Knoxville, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
362 mi Β· 6h 57m by car Β· TN β NC β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β NC β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 26, US 74, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.3% cheaper overall in Knoxville than North Charleston on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 8.3% above North Charleston β $309,522 β $369,216 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | North Charleston | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 55.8" |
Annual temperature drops 8.6Β°F moving to Knoxville per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.28 |
Households in Knoxville earn about 8.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Knoxville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,000 | $39,660 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 40,780 | $28,680 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 39,220 | $36,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,880 | $32,470 |
| Production Occupations | 33,840 | $41,910 |
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.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Knoxville averages 55.8 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
How far is Knoxville, TN from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 362 mi and the route typically takes 6h 57m via I 26 and US 74. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from North Charleston to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 362 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 North Charleston vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $62,789 in North Charleston β a 18.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Knoxville more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 8.3% lower than North Charleston (92.569 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $309,522 in North Charleston β a 19.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 413,540 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· Knoxville, TN.