Moving from Columbia, SC to Tempe, AZ
Moving from Columbia, SC to Tempe, AZ is a 2019 mi cross-country relocation — about 36h 14m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2019 mi · 36h 14m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA → SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, AZ 77, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.662 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.306 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.455 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.3% pricier overall in Tempe than Columbia on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tempe typical home at $468,281 is 10.3% above Columbia at $229,068 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Columbia +1.3%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Columbia | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.3" | 8.8" |
Tempe runs 8.2°F warmer on the annual average (63.6°F vs 71.8°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Tempe sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $55,653 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 28.7 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.42 |
Median household income in Tempe is 10.3% above Columbia ($55,653 vs $77,643, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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 Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2019 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $42,630 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 381,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $229,068 in Columbia — a 104.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Columbia, SC?
The driving distance is 2019 mi and the route typically takes 36h 14m via I 40 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tempe more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 10.3% higher than Columbia (103.316 vs 93.662, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $55,653 in Columbia — a 39.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Columbia and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 63.6°F in Columbia (8.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.4 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 46.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, SC · Tempe, AZ.