Moving from Renton, WA to Boulder, CO
It is 1291 mi between Renton and Boulder β roughly 22h 28m 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.
1291 mi Β· 22h 28m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 97 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Boulder | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.202 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 82.741 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 157.02 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.3% moving from Renton to Boulder β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $764,375 in Renton to $964,531 in Boulder, a 5.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Boulder -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 92.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 21.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.6Β°F vs 51.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Boulder sees 92.8 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, BOULDER, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 106,274 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $85,364 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 28.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 36.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.42 |
Households in Boulder earn about 5.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Boulder MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,760 | $91,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $47,560 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,360 | $50,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,660 | $37,440 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 17,320 | $131,150 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Winter gear first: Boulder averages 92.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Renton vs Boulder?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,364 in Boulder vs $96,626 in Renton β a 11.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Boulder more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Boulder is 5.3% lower than Renton (105.202 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Boulder compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $64,750 in the Boulder MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 194,440 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Boulder, CO from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1291 mi and the route typically takes 22h 28m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Boulder?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1291 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 Boulder compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $964,531 in Boulder vs $764,375 in Renton β a 26.2% higher 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· Boulder, CO.