Moving from Columbia, SC to Abilene, TX
A move from Columbia, SC to Abilene, TX covers 1184 mi and around 21h 33m 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.
1184 mi · 21h 33m by car · SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Atlanta, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.662 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.306 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.455 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Columbia (93.662) and Abilene (90.364) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Abilene ZHVI at $210,016 is 3.5% below Columbia at $229,068.
YoY change: Columbia +1.3%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Columbia | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.4" | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.3" | 25.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Abilene gets around 3.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $55,653 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 28.7 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Abilene is 3.5% above Columbia ($55,653 → $62,720, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Abilene MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 10,850 | $37,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,210 | $26,270 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 6,750 | $29,820 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 5,560 | $73,610 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 5,460 | $35,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina 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 Abilene average 96°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
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1184 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $55,653 in Columbia — a 12.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $42,630 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 381,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $229,068 in Columbia — a 8.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Columbia and Abilene?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.9°F in Abilene vs 63.6°F in Columbia (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.7 in vs 0.4 in. Annual precipitation: 25.2 in vs 46.3 in.
How far is Abilene, TX from Columbia, SC?
The driving distance is 1184 mi and the route typically takes 21h 33m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Abilene more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 3.5% lower than Columbia (90.364 vs 93.662, 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, SC · Abilene, TX.