Moving from Renton, WA to Salt Lake City, UT
Relocating 824 mi from Renton to Salt Lake City is a 14h 28m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
824 mi Β· 14h 28m by car Β· UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 97, I 82 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Boise City, Meridian, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Salt Lake City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.2% moving from Renton to Salt Lake City 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 $573,181 in Salt Lake City, a 9.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Salt Lake City +1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 17.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.6Β°F vs 55.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Salt Lake City sees 49.0 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 203,888 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $74,925 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.2% β $96,626 β $74,925 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Salt Lake City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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-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
- Winter gear first: Salt Lake City averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Salt Lake City average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Salt Lake City compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,181 in Salt Lake City vs $764,375 in Renton β a 25.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Salt Lake City compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Salt Lake City more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Salt Lake City is 9.2% lower than Renton (100.868 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Salt Lake City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $96,626 in Renton β a 22.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Salt Lake City, UT from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 824 mi and the route typically takes 14h 28m via I 84 and US 97. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Salt Lake City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 824 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· Salt Lake City, UT.