Moving from Memphis, TN to Columbia, SC
Relocating 596 mi from Memphis to Columbia is a 11h 12m drive through 5 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.
596 mi · 11h 12m by car · TN → MS → AL → GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → MS → AL → GA → SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 78, SC 12 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Columbia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 93.662 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 88.306 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 79.455 | 100.0 |
Memphis and Columbia sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $144,710 in Memphis to $229,068 in Columbia, a 1.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Columbia +1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 46.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.4°F vs 63.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Columbia sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 138,019 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $55,653 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 28.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.67 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.6% higher in Columbia than Memphis.
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 Tennessee 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.
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 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
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 596 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Columbia compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,068 in Columbia vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 58.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Columbia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,653 in Columbia vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 8.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Columbia more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbia is 1.6% higher than Memphis (93.662 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Columbia, SC from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 596 mi and the route typically takes 11h 12m via I 20 and US 78. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Columbia compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,630 in the Columbia MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 381,750 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Columbia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Columbia vs 63.4°F in Memphis (0.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.4 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 46.3 in vs 54.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Columbia, SC.