Moving from Renton, WA to Madison, WI
A 1921 mi cross-country move between Renton and Madison is 33h 26m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 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.
1921 mi Β· 33h 26m by car Β· WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Minneapolis, Fargo, Billings, Spokane Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Madison | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 97.287 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 99.748 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.5% moving from Renton to Madison 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 $423,767 in Madison, a 12.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 40.2" |
Annual temperature drops 6.4Β°F moving to Madison per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.19 |
Madison households earn about 12.5% less than Renton at the median β $96,626 β $76,983 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Madison MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 47,900 | $46,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,050 | $37,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 32,230 | $30,120 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 31,450 | $76,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,080 | $40,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Wisconsin
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Wisconsin'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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Madison, WI from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1921 mi and the route typically takes 33h 26m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Madison more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 12.5% lower than Renton (97.287 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $96,626 in Renton β a 20.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $764,375 in Renton β a 44.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Madison compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,910 in the Madison MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 396,960 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Madison?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1921 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 Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Madison, WI.