Moving from Arlington, TX to Columbia, SC
A move from Arlington, TX to Columbia, SC covers 1023 mi and around 18h 48m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1023 mi Β· 18h 48m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | 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 |
Overall prices in Columbia are 9.1% below Arlington β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Columbia typical home at $229,068 is 9.1% under Arlington at $310,971 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Columbia +1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 46.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 63.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 138,019 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $55,653 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 28.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.67 |
Median household income in Columbia is 9.1% below Arlington ($73,519 vs $55,653, ACS 5-year 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 93Β°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 Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,068 in Columbia vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 26.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Columbia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1023 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Columbia more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbia is 9.1% lower than Arlington (93.662 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Columbia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,653 in Columbia vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 24.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Columbia compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,630 in the Columbia MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington 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.
How far is Columbia, SC from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 1023 mi and the route typically takes 18h 48m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Columbia, SC.