Moving from Centennial, CO to Renton, WA
It is 1316 mi between Centennial and Renton β roughly 22h 55m 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.
1316 mi Β· 22h 55m 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 | Aurora, Lakewood, Denver, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Renton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Renton runs about 5.1% more expensive overall than Centennial β RPP 105.782 β 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Renton run about 5.1% pricier β ZHVI $649,086 β $764,375 (2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Renton -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 34.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.2Β°F vs 53.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, RENTON MUNI AP, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 105,279 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $96,626 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.55 |
Renton households earn about 5.1% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $96,626 on ACS 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.
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
- 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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Renton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1316 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Renton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,626 in Renton vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 24.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Renton compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Renton MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Renton compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $764,375 in Renton vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 17.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Renton more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Renton is 5.1% higher than Centennial (111.133 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Renton, WA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1316 mi and the route typically takes 22h 55m 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 Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Renton, WA.