Moving from Renton, WA to Gainesville, FL
A 2968 mi cross-country move between Renton and Gainesville is 52h 57m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2968 mi Β· 52h 57m by car Β· FL β GA β TN β KY β IL β MO β IA β NE β SD β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β TN β KY β IL β MO β IA β NE β SD β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 75, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Atlanta, South Fulton, Sandy Springs, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Gainesville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 96.733 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 88.155 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 92.982 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.0% moving from Renton to Gainesville 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 drops from $764,375 in Renton to $297,055 in Gainesville, a 13.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Gainesville -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Gainesville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperature jumps 15.7Β°F β 53.6Β°F in Renton vs 69.3Β°F in Gainesville, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Gainesville sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, GAINESVILLE RGNL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Gainesville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 143,611 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $45,611 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 26.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 25.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.47 |
Gainesville households earn about 13.0% less than Renton at the median β $96,626 β $45,611 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gainesville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,790 | $39,560 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,090 | $78,100 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,600 | $29,120 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 11,930 | $53,420 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,560 | $33,590 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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 Gainesville average 91Β°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 (15.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Gainesville, FL from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2968 mi and the route typically takes 52h 57m via I 90 and I 75. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Gainesville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2968 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Gainesville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,611 in Gainesville vs $96,626 in Renton β a 52.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Gainesville compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $297,055 in Gainesville vs $764,375 in Renton β a 61.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Gainesville compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,490 in the Gainesville MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 141,070 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Gainesville more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gainesville is 13.0% lower than Renton (96.733 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Gainesville, FL.