Moving from Columbia, MO to Mesquite, TX
It is 588 mi between Columbia and Mesquite β roughly 11h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
588 mi Β· 11h 10m 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 | Dallas, Garland, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Mesquite | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.438 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.966 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 69.248 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.3% above Columbia β 89.438 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 15.3% under Columbia β $321,091 β $262,121 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Columbia +2.6%, Mesquite -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbia | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.8" | 40.9" |
Annual temperature rises 9.8Β°F moving to Mesquite per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBIA U OF M, MO US, FERRIS, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 148,848 |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $71,843 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.96 |
Households in Mesquite earn about 15.3% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesquite MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Mesquite average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Mesquite compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,121 in Mesquite vs $321,091 in Columbia β a 18.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Mesquite?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,843 in Mesquite vs $64,488 in Columbia β a 11.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Mesquite?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 588 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Mesquite compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Mesquite MSA vs $44,410 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 97,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Mesquite, TX from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance is 588 mi and the route typically takes 11h 10m via US 69 and I 44. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Mesquite more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesquite is 15.3% higher than Columbia (103.09 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 Β· Mesquite, TX.