Moving from Inglewood, CA to Columbia, SC
Cross-country relocations like Inglewood, CA β Columbia, SC cover 2407 mi and about 42h 24m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2407 mi Β· 42h 24m by car Β· SC β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | SC β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, I 22 |
| Major cities en route | Atlanta, South Fulton, Sandy Springs, Birmingham, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Inglewood | Columbia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 93.662 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 88.306 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 79.455 | 100.0 |
Columbia is 17.5% cheaper than Inglewood overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Columbia is 17.5% below Inglewood β $763,568 vs $229,068 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Inglewood +0.7%, Columbia +1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Inglewood | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.8" | 46.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Inglewood (64.5Β°F) and Columbia (63.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Columbia gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US, SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Inglewood | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,575 | 138,019 |
| Median household income | $71,029 | $55,653 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 28.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.4% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.93 | 2.67 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.5% between Inglewood and Columbia (ACS 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 California 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 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.
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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
Is Columbia more expensive than Inglewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbia is 17.5% lower than Inglewood (93.662 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Columbia, SC from Inglewood, CA?
The driving distance is 2407 mi and the route typically takes 42h 24m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Inglewood to Columbia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2407 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Columbia compare to Inglewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,630 in the Columbia MSA vs $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA, on total employment of 381,750 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Inglewood vs Columbia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,653 in Columbia vs $71,029 in Inglewood β a 21.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Columbia compared to Inglewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,068 in Columbia vs $763,568 in Inglewood β a 70.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Inglewood.
City profiles: Inglewood, CA Β· Columbia, SC.