Moving from Seattle, WA to Reno, NV
A move from Seattle, WA to Reno, NV covers 722 mi and around 14h 43m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
722 mi · 14h 43m by car · WA → OR → CA → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → CA → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, US 395, OR 58 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Tacoma |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Reno | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 123.478 | 100.0 |
Reno is 9.1% cheaper than Seattle overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Reno is 9.1% below Seattle — $868,680 vs $567,857 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Reno -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 27°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 29.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 8.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Seattle (53.2°F) and Reno (54.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Reno averages 29.7 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, RENO WFO, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 268,959 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $78,448 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.4 |
Median household income in Reno is 9.1% below Seattle ($121,984 vs $78,448, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Reno MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Reno averages 29.7 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Reno average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Reno sees only 8.1 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Reno, NV from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 722 mi and the route typically takes 14h 43m via I 5 and US 395. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Reno?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 722 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Reno compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $567,857 in Reno vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 34.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Reno more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Reno is 9.1% lower than Seattle (101.014 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Reno?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,448 in Reno vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 35.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Reno?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.5°F in Reno vs 53.2°F in Seattle (1.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 29.7 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 8.1 in vs 37.8 in.
How does the job market in Reno compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Reno MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 254,100 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Reno, NV.