Moving from Boulder, CO to Kent, WA
Relocating 1289 mi from Boulder to Kent is a 22h 28m drive through 6 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.
1289 mi Β· 22h 28m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Kent | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.6% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $964,531 to $656,314 moving to Kent.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Kent -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 40.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Boulder (51.5Β°F) and Kent (53.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, KENT, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 135,015 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $90,416 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 21.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.89 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.6% higher in Kent than Boulder.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kent 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.
Moving between Colorado and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
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.
- Register to vote in Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Kent, WA from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1289 mi and the route typically takes 22h 28m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Kent?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,416 in Kent vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 5.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Kent more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kent is 5.6% higher than Boulder (111.133 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Kent compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $656,314 in Kent vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 32.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Kent?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1289 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 Kent compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Kent MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 194,440 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 Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Kent, WA.