Moving from North Charleston, SC to Waco, TX
Relocating 1115 mi from North Charleston to Waco is a 20h 50m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1115 mi · 20h 50m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Shreveport, Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Waco at 92.55 vs North Charleston at 100.962.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $309,522 to $194,245 moving to Waco.
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | North Charleston | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in North Charleston (66.5°F) and Waco (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Waco 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, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.68 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.3% lower in Waco than North Charleston.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
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 Waco average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Waco compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Waco, TX from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1115 mi and the route typically takes 20h 50m 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 Waco compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $309,522 in North Charleston — a 37.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Waco more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 8.3% lower than North Charleston (92.55 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between North Charleston and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 66.5°F in North Charleston (0.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.3 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 52.5 in.
How does household income compare in North Charleston vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $62,789 in North Charleston — a 18.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from North Charleston to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1115 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from North Charleston.
City profiles: North Charleston, SC · Waco, TX.