Moving from Columbia, SC to Amarillo, TX
It is 1324 mi between Columbia and Amarillo β roughly 23h 43m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 8 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
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
| Columbia | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.662 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.306 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.455 | 78.38 | 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% under Columbia β $229,068 β $206,787 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Columbia +1.3%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbia | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.3" | β |
Annual temperature drops 6.7Β°F moving to Amarillo per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $55,653 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 28.7 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.56 |
Households in Amarillo earn about 2.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Amarillo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,710 | $37,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,610 | $26,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,220 | $37,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,020 | $29,500 |
| Production Occupations | 9,370 | $39,900 |
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 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 Amarillo average 92Β°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 Amarillo compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $42,630 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 381,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 2.0% lower than Columbia (91.82 vs 93.662, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $55,653 in Columbia β a 12.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Columbia, SC?
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.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $229,068 in Columbia β a 9.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Amarillo?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, SC Β· Amarillo, TX.