Moving from Renton, WA to Westminster, CO
It is 1295 mi between Renton and Westminster β roughly 22h 29m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1295 mi Β· 22h 29m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 97 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Arvada, Centennial, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Westminster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Westminster -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 14.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.8 in of snowfall annually at Westminster.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 115,546 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $96,145 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.41 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Westminster MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Winter gear first: Westminster averages 44.8 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 Westminster average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Westminster sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Renton vs Westminster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,145 in Westminster vs $96,626 in Renton β a 0.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Westminster?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1295 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 Westminster compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Westminster MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Westminster compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $527,654 in Westminster vs $764,375 in Renton β a 31.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Westminster more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Westminster is 4.8% lower than Renton (105.782 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Westminster, CO from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1295 mi and the route typically takes 22h 29m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 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· Westminster, CO.