Moving from Savannah, GA to North Charleston, SC
Relocating between Savannah, GA and North Charleston, SC is a 115 mi drive — 2h 33m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
115 mi · 2h 33m by car · GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | GA → SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 17 ALT, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | North Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.0% above Savannah — 95.206 → 100.962 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 6.0% under Savannah — $326,509 → $309,522 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, North Charleston -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 52.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in North Charleston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 117,460 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $62,789 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 18.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.47 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.0% higher in North Charleston than Savannah.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in North Charleston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,720 | $41,590 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,780 | $28,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 36,680 | $34,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,150 | $38,280 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,230 | $79,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and South Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check South Carolina'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 North Charleston average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: North Charleston averages 52.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October.
- 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 South Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is North Charleston more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in North Charleston is 6.0% higher than Savannah (100.962 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to North Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 115 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs North Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,789 in North Charleston vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 10.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in North Charleston compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in North Charleston compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,522 in North Charleston vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 5.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is North Charleston, SC from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 115 mi and the route typically takes 2h 33m via I 95 and US 17 ALT. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and North Charleston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.5°F in North Charleston vs 67.5°F in Savannah (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.3 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 52.5 in vs 48.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · North Charleston, SC.