Moving from Renton, WA to Omaha, NE
A 1660 mi cross-country move between Renton and Omaha is 28h 45m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
1660 mi Β· 28h 45m by car Β· NE β IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 212, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Billings, Spokane Valley, Spokane, Bellevue |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.3% cheaper overall in Omaha than Renton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.44 |
Omaha households earn about 17.3% less than Renton at the median β $96,626 β $72,708 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Omaha MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 58,590 | $42,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 45,020 | $30,130 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 43,680 | $35,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 41,730 | $39,370 |
| Management Occupations | 37,950 | $104,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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
- Tornado season peaks May through July β identify a safe room or interior space 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Renton vs Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $96,626 in Renton β a 24.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Omaha compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $764,375 in Renton β a 61.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Omaha, NE from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1660 mi and the route typically takes 28h 45m via I 90 and US 212. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Omaha more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 17.3% lower than Renton (91.911 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 Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1660 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 Omaha compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 483,970 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Omaha, NE.