Moving from Goodyear, AZ to Columbia, SC
It is 2103 mi and 37h 20m from Goodyear to Columbia — a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2103 mi · 37h 20m by car · SC → GA → AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | SC → GA → AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, I 22 |
| Major cities en route | Atlanta, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Goodyear | Columbia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 93.662 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 88.306 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 79.455 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.3% cheaper overall in Columbia than Goodyear on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Goodyear -1.2%, Columbia +1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Goodyear | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 107°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.4" | 46.3" |
Expect 10.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Columbia — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US, SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Goodyear | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,891 | 138,019 |
| Median household income | $101,814 | $55,653 |
| Median age | 40.8 | 28.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.87 | 2.67 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.3% — $101,814 → $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 Arizona 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 (10.3°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
When is the best time to move from Goodyear 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 2103 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Goodyear and Columbia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Columbia vs 73.9°F in Goodyear (10.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.3 in vs 7.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Columbia compared to Goodyear?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,068 in Columbia vs $469,424 in Goodyear — a 51.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Columbia compare to Goodyear?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,630 in the Columbia MSA vs $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA, on total employment of 381,750 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Columbia, SC from Goodyear, AZ?
The driving distance is 2103 mi and the route typically takes 37h 20m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Goodyear vs Columbia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,653 in Columbia vs $101,814 in Goodyear — a 45.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Columbia more expensive than Goodyear?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbia is 9.3% lower than Goodyear (93.662 vs 103.316, 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 Goodyear.
City profiles: Goodyear, AZ · Columbia, SC.