Moving from Columbia, SC to Odessa, TX
Relocating 1353 mi from Columbia to Odessa is a 24h 23m 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.
1353 mi · 24h 23m by car · SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.662 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.306 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.455 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.2% above Columbia — $229,068 → $251,239 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Columbia +1.3%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Columbia | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.4" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.3" | 12.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Odessa — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $55,653 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 28.7 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.54 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.2% — $55,653 → $73,030 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Odessa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,160 | $44,240 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 8,860 | $46,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 8,230 | $41,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,770 | $28,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,360 | $36,360 |
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 Odessa average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Odessa sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 household income compare in Columbia vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $55,653 in Columbia — a 31.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $42,630 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 381,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Odessa, TX from Columbia, SC?
The driving distance is 1353 mi and the route typically takes 24h 23m 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 Odessa compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $229,068 in Columbia — a 9.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Odessa more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 0.2% higher than Columbia (93.896 vs 93.662, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Columbia and Odessa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Odessa vs 63.6°F in Columbia (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.4 in. Annual precipitation: 12.3 in vs 46.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1353 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 Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, SC · Odessa, TX.