Moving from Columbia, SC to Denton, TX
The drive from Columbia, SC to Denton, TX runs 1040 mi β about 19h 8m 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.
1040 mi Β· 19h 8m 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 | Frisco, Carrollton, Lewisville, Fort Worth, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.662 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.306 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.455 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.1% pricier overall in Denton than Columbia on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Denton typical home at $354,135 is 10.1% above Columbia at $229,068 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Columbia +1.3%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbia | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.3" | 38.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.6Β°F vs 65.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $55,653 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 28.7 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 10.1% between Columbia and Denton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton 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 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 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 Denton 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 far is Denton, TX from Columbia, SC?
The driving distance is 1040 mi and the route typically takes 19h 8m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $42,630 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 381,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1040 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 Denton compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $229,068 in Columbia β a 54.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Denton more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 10.1% higher than Columbia (103.09 vs 93.662, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $55,653 in Columbia β a 32.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, SC Β· Denton, TX.