Moving from Tacoma, WA to Renton, WA
It is a short 28 mi hop from Tacoma, WA to Renton, WA β roughly 39 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
28 mi Β· 39 min by car Β· WA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 405, I 705 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Renton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Tacoma and Renton sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $493,840 in Tacoma to $764,375 in Renton, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Renton -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 34.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.7Β°F vs 53.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, RENTON MUNI AP, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 105,279 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $96,626 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.55 |
Households in Renton earn about 0.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Renton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- 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
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Renton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,626 in Renton vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 15.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Renton compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $764,375 in Renton vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 54.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Renton, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 28 mi and the route typically takes 39 min via I 5 and I 405. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Renton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 28 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 Renton compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Renton MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Renton, WA.