Moving from Renton, WA to Mobile, AL
A 2666 mi cross-country move between Renton and Mobile is 47h 46m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 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.
2666 mi Β· 47h 46m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.7% cheaper overall price level β 111.133 β 88.098 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
20.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 60.5" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.5Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.39 |
Mobile households earn about 20.7% less than Renton at the median β $96,626 β $51,090 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Mobile average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $764,375 in Renton β a 74.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Mobile, AL from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2666 mi and the route typically takes 47h 46m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $96,626 in Renton β a 47.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Mobile more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 20.7% lower than Renton (88.098 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2666 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· Mobile, AL.