Moving from Renton, WA to Arlington, TX
Moving from Renton, WA to Arlington, TX is a 2064 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h 35m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2064 mi Β· 36h 35m by car Β· TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Fort Worth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Arlington is 7.2% cheaper than Renton overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Arlington is 7.2% below Renton β $764,375 vs $310,971 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 36.2" |
Arlington runs 13.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.6Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.81 |
Median household income in Arlington is 7.2% below Renton ($96,626 vs $73,519, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arlington MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Arlington average 96Β°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 warmer climate (13.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $96,626 in Renton β a 23.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Arlington more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 7.2% lower than Renton (103.09 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Arlington, TX from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2064 mi and the route typically takes 36h 35m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2064 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $764,375 in Renton β a 59.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Arlington, TX.