Moving from Columbia, SC to Richardson, TX
It is 1009 mi between Columbia and Richardson β roughly 18h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1009 mi Β· 18h 33m by car Β· SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β 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 | Richardson | 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 |
Richardson runs about 10.1% more expensive overall than Columbia β RPP 93.662 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $229,068 in Columbia to $440,400 in Richardson, a 10.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Columbia +1.3%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbia | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.3" | 41.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.6Β°F vs 65.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $55,653 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 28.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.6 |
Richardson households earn about 10.1% more than Columbia at the median β $55,653 β $96,257 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson 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 Richardson average 94Β°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 Richardson compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $229,068 in Columbia β a 92.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richardson, TX from Columbia, SC?
The driving distance is 1009 mi and the route typically takes 18h 33m 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 Richardson compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson 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.
Is Richardson more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson 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 Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $55,653 in Columbia β a 73.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1009 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, SC Β· Richardson, TX.