Moving from Renton, WA to Minneapolis, MN
Cross-country relocations like Renton, WA β Minneapolis, MN cover 1658 mi and about 28h 22m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1658 mi Β· 28h 22m by car Β· MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Fargo, Billings, Spokane Valley, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Minneapolis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Minneapolis are 5.7% below Renton β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Minneapolis typical home at $330,882 is 5.7% under Renton at $764,375 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Minneapolis +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 46Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 8Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 34.4" |
Climate cools by 7.8Β°F on the annual average β 53.6Β°F β 45.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 426,845 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $80,269 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.26 |
Income steps down 5.7%: $96,626 in Renton vs $80,269 in Minneapolis.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Minneapolis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota'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-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 much do homes cost in Minneapolis compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $330,882 in Minneapolis vs $764,375 in Renton β a 56.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Minneapolis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1658 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 Minneapolis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,269 in Minneapolis vs $96,626 in Renton β a 16.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Minneapolis more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Minneapolis is 5.7% lower than Renton (104.822 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Minneapolis compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Minneapolis, MN from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1658 mi and the route typically takes 28h 22m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Minneapolis, MN.