Moving from Columbia, SC to Irving, TX
It is 1016 mi between Columbia and Irving — roughly 18h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1016 mi · 18h 44m 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 | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.662 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.306 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.455 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $229,068 to $341,503 moving to Irving.
YoY change: Columbia +1.3%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Columbia | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.4" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.3" | 37.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Columbia (63.6°F) and Irving (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Irving averages 1.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $55,653 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 28.7 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.71 |
Irving households earn about 10.1% more than Columbia at the median — $55,653 → $79,641 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Irving average 96°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
What is the climate difference between Columbia and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 63.6°F in Columbia (3.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 0.4 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 46.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1016 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Irving more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 10.1% higher than Columbia (103.09 vs 93.662, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $42,630 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 381,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Irving, TX from Columbia, SC?
The driving distance is 1016 mi and the route typically takes 18h 44m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $55,653 in Columbia — a 43.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $229,068 in Columbia — a 49.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, SC · Irving, TX.