Moving from North Charleston, SC to Odessa, TX
A move from North Charleston, SC to Odessa, TX covers 1421 mi and around 25h 41m of driving through 6 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.
1421 mi · 25h 41m by car · SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Charleston, Columbia, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, South Fulton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Odessa is 7.0% cheaper than North Charleston overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Odessa is 7.0% below North Charleston ($251,239 vs $309,522 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | North Charleston | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 12.3" |
Annual average temperatures in North Charleston (66.5°F) and Odessa (64.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Odessa gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Odessa is 7.0% above North Charleston ($62,789 → $73,030, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Odessa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,160 | $44,240 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 8,860 | $46,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 8,230 | $41,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,770 | $28,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,360 | $36,360 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 Odessa average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Odessa sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Odessa compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Odessa, TX from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1421 mi and the route typically takes 25h 41m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $309,522 in North Charleston — a 18.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from North Charleston to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1421 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between North Charleston and Odessa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Odessa vs 66.5°F in North Charleston (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.3 in. Annual precipitation: 12.3 in vs 52.5 in.
How does household income compare in North Charleston vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $62,789 in North Charleston — a 16.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Odessa more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 7.0% lower than North Charleston (93.896 vs 100.962, 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 North Charleston.
City profiles: North Charleston, SC · Odessa, TX.