Moving from Davie, FL to Columbia, SC
Relocating 626 mi from Davie to Columbia is a 11h 37m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
626 mi · 11h 37m by car · SC → GA → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | SC → GA → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 26, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando, Palm Bay, Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Davie | Columbia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 93.662 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 88.306 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 79.455 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.0% moving from Davie to Columbia — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $515,020 in Davie to $229,068 in Columbia, a 18.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Davie -4.6%, Columbia +1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Davie | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 58°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 68.8" | 46.3" |
Expect 12.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Columbia sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE, FL US, SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Davie | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,412 | 138,019 |
| Median household income | $87,171 | $55,653 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 28.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.77 | 2.67 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.0% — $87,171 → $55,653 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 55,750 | $38,500 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 36,270 | $32,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 34,570 | $35,920 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,100 | $25,840 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,320 | $73,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and South Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check South Carolina'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 Columbia average 93°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 colder climate (12.3°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October.
- 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 South Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Columbia compared to Davie?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,068 in Columbia vs $515,020 in Davie — a 55.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Davie to Columbia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 626 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Columbia compare to Davie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,630 in the Columbia MSA vs $46,510 in the Davie MSA, on total employment of 381,750 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Columbia, SC from Davie, FL?
The driving distance is 626 mi and the route typically takes 11h 37m via I 95 and I 26. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Davie and Columbia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Columbia vs 75.9°F in Davie (12.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.3 in vs 68.8 in.
How does household income compare in Davie vs Columbia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,653 in Columbia vs $87,171 in Davie — a 36.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Columbia more expensive than Davie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbia is 18.0% lower than Davie (93.662 vs 114.155, 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 Davie.
City profiles: Davie, FL · Columbia, SC.