Moving from Amarillo, TX to Columbia, SC
Relocating 1324 mi from Amarillo to Columbia is a 23h 43m drive through 8 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1324 mi Β· 23h 43m by car Β· TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | 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 | Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Columbia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 93.662 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 88.306 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 79.455 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.0% above Amarillo β $206,787 β $229,068 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Columbia +1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.4" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 46.3" |
Expect 6.7Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Columbia β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 138,019 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $55,653 |
| Median age | 35 | 28.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.67 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.0% lower in Columbia than Amarillo.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 55,750 | $38,500 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 36,270 | $32,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 34,570 | $35,920 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,100 | $25,840 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,320 | $73,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas 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 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Columbia average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Columbia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1324 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 Amarillo vs Columbia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,653 in Columbia vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 10.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Columbia, SC from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 1324 mi and the route typically takes 23h 43m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Columbia more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbia is 2.0% higher than Amarillo (93.662 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Columbia compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,068 in Columbia vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 10.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Columbia compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,630 in the Columbia MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 381,750 and 120,310 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 Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Columbia, SC.