Moving from Fargo, ND to Renton, WA
It is 1423 mi between Fargo and Renton β roughly 24h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1423 mi Β· 24h 5m by car Β· ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, US 83 |
| Major cities en route | Billings, Spokane Valley, Spokane, Bellevue, Seattle |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Renton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 90.871 in Fargo to 111.133 in Renton, putting overall prices 22.3% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.3% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $314,973 to $764,375 moving to Renton.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Renton -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 34.7" |
Annual temperature rises 12.2Β°F moving to Renton per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, RENTON MUNI AP, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 105,279 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $96,626 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.55 |
Renton households earn about 22.3% more than Fargo at the median β $66,029 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 North Dakota 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
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Renton, WA from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1423 mi and the route typically takes 24h 5m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Renton compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Renton MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Renton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1423 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Renton more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Renton is 22.3% higher than Fargo (111.133 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Renton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,626 in Renton vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 46.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Renton compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $764,375 in Renton vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 142.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Renton, WA.