Moving from Renton, WA to Kansas City, KS
A 1835 mi cross-country move between Renton and Kansas City is 31h 57m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.
1835 mi Β· 31h 57m by car Β· KS β MO β IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β MO β IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 29, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.7% cheaper overall in Kansas City than Renton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 38.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Kansas City gets around 11.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.72 |
Kansas City households earn about 16.7% less than Renton at the median β $96,626 β $59,183 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 Kansas City average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $764,375 in Renton β a 74.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1835 mi and the route typically takes 31h 57m via I 90 and I 29. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1835 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 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 Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $96,626 in Renton β a 38.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 16.7% lower than Renton (92.543 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· Kansas City, KS.