Moving from Pembroke Pines, FL to Columbia, SC
It is 634 mi between Pembroke Pines and Columbia β roughly 11h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
634 mi Β· 11h 47m by car Β· FL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 26, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Hollywood, Miami, Hialeah, Miramar, Miami Gardens |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pembroke Pines | 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 |
Expect about 18.0% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Columbia at 93.662 vs Pembroke Pines at 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $487,422 to $229,068 moving to Columbia.
YoY change: Pembroke Pines -4.3%, Columbia +1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pembroke Pines | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 62.0" | 46.3" |
Annual temperature drops 13.7Β°F moving to Columbia per 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: HOLLYWOOD NORTH PERRY AP, FL US, SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pembroke Pines | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,557 | 138,019 |
| Median household income | $81,675 | $55,653 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 28.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.67 |
Columbia households earn about 18.0% less than Pembroke Pines at the median β $81,675 β $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 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 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 Columbia average 93Β°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 (13.7Β°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 far is Columbia, SC from Pembroke Pines, FL?
The driving distance is 634 mi and the route typically takes 11h 47m via I 95 and I 26. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Columbia more expensive than Pembroke Pines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbia is 18.0% lower than Pembroke Pines (93.662 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Columbia compared to Pembroke Pines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,068 in Columbia vs $487,422 in Pembroke Pines β a 53.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pembroke Pines vs Columbia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,653 in Columbia vs $81,675 in Pembroke Pines β a 31.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Columbia compare to Pembroke Pines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,630 in the Columbia MSA vs $46,510 in the Pembroke Pines 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.
When is the best time to move from Pembroke Pines to Columbia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 634 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 Pembroke Pines.
City profiles: Pembroke Pines, FL Β· Columbia, SC.