Moving from Columbia, MO to Austin, TX
The drive from Columbia, MO to Austin, TX runs 776 mi — about 14h 25m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
776 mi · 14h 25m by car · TX → OK → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 44, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.438 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.966 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 69.248 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.6% pricier overall in Austin than Columbia on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Austin typical home at $508,530 is 9.6% above Columbia at $321,091 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Columbia +2.6%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Columbia | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.4" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.8" | 36.3" |
Climate warms by 13.8°F on the annual average — 56.2°F → 70.0°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLUMBIA U OF M, MO US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.2 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.6% between Columbia and Austin (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri 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 Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Columbia and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 56.2°F in Columbia (13.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 17.4 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 44.8 in.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $44,410 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 97,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 776 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $321,091 in Columbia — a 58.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance is 776 mi and the route typically takes 14h 25m via US 69 and I 44. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $64,488 in Columbia — a 41.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 9.6% higher than Columbia (98.066 vs 89.438, 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 Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, MO · Austin, TX.