Moving from Irving, TX to Columbia, SC
Relocating 1016 mi from Irving to Columbia is a 18h 44m 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.
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
| Irving | Columbia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 93.662 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 88.306 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 79.455 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.1% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Columbia at 93.662 vs Irving at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $341,503 to $229,068 moving to Columbia.
YoY change: Irving -2.6%, Columbia +1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irving | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.6" | 0.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.0" | 46.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Irving (66.6°F) and Columbia (63.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Columbia gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US, SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irving | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 138,019 |
| Median household income | $79,641 | $55,653 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 28.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.8% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.67 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.1% — $79,641 → $55,653 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 — 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 Columbia average 93°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
How much do homes cost in Columbia compared to Irving?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,068 in Columbia vs $341,503 in Irving — a 32.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Irving vs Columbia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,653 in Columbia vs $79,641 in Irving — a 30.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Irving to Columbia?
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.
How does the job market in Columbia compare to Irving?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,630 in the Columbia MSA vs $48,440 in the Irving MSA, on total employment of 381,750 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Irving and Columbia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Columbia vs 66.6°F in Irving (3.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.4 in vs 1.6 in. Annual precipitation: 46.3 in vs 37.0 in.
How far is Columbia, SC from Irving, TX?
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.
Is Columbia more expensive than Irving?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbia is 9.1% lower than Irving (93.662 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Irving.
City profiles: Irving, TX · Columbia, SC.