Moving from Columbia, MO to Brownsville, TX
Relocating 1107 mi from Columbia to Brownsville is a 20h 47m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1107 mi Β· 20h 47m by car Β· TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 44, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.438 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.966 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 69.248 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Columbia and Brownsville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $321,091 in Columbia to $195,993 in Brownsville, a 3.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Columbia +2.6%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbia | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.8" | β |
Annual average temperature jumps 18.2Β°F β 56.2Β°F in Columbia vs 74.4Β°F in Brownsville, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBIA U OF M, MO US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 3.21 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.9% β $64,488 β $48,675 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 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 Brownsville average 92Β°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 (18.2Β°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
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1107 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $321,091 in Columbia β a 39.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance is 1107 mi and the route typically takes 20h 47m 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 Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $64,488 in Columbia β a 24.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 3.9% lower than Columbia (85.975 vs 89.438, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $44,410 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 97,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, MO Β· Brownsville, TX.