Moving from Odessa, TX to Columbia, SC
It is 1353 mi between Odessa and Columbia — roughly 24h 23m 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.
1353 mi · 24h 23m by car · SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Columbia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 93.662 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 88.306 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 79.455 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 93.896 vs 93.662 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 0.2% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Columbia +1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 46.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Odessa (64.4°F) and Columbia (63.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Columbia gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 138,019 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $55,653 |
| Median age | 31 | 28.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.67 |
Columbia households earn about 0.2% less than Odessa at the median — $73,030 → $55,653 on 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 Texas 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.
- 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 does the job market in Columbia compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,630 in the Columbia MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 381,750 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Columbia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Columbia vs 64.4°F in Odessa (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.4 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 46.3 in vs 12.3 in.
How far is Columbia, SC from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 1353 mi and the route typically takes 24h 23m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Columbia compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,068 in Columbia vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 8.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Columbia more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbia is 0.2% lower than Odessa (93.662 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Odessa 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 1353 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Columbia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,653 in Columbia vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 23.8% lower 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 Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Columbia, SC.