Moving from North Charleston, SC to Long Beach, CA
A 2474 mi cross-country move between North Charleston and Long Beach is 43h 41m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2474 mi Β· 43h 41m 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 | Los Angeles, Torrance, Inglewood, Santa Ana, Irvine |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Long Beach runs about 12.5% more expensive overall than North Charleston β RPP 100.962 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $309,522 in North Charleston to $857,861 in Long Beach, a 12.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | North Charleston | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.5Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.68 |
Long Beach households earn about 12.5% more than North Charleston at the median β $62,789 β $83,969 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 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
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $309,522 in North Charleston β a 177.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Long Beach more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 12.5% higher than North Charleston (113.566 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Long Beach, CA from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 2474 mi and the route typically takes 43h 41m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from North Charleston to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2474 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 Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $62,789 in North Charleston β a 33.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Long Beach, CA.