Moving from Independence, MO to Kent, WA
Moving from Independence, MO to Kent, WA is a 1873 mi cross-country relocation β about 32h 20m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1873 mi Β· 32h 20m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Independence | Kent | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 20.1% higher overall in Kent vs Independence on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Kent: 20.1% above Independence on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Independence +2.6%, Kent -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Independence | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 40.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: INDEPENDENCE, MO US, KENT, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Independence | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 135,015 |
| Median household income | $59,480 | $90,416 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 21.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.89 |
Median household income in Kent is 20.1% above Independence ($59,480 vs $90,416, ACS 5-year 2023).
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 Missouri 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.
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 much do homes cost in Kent compared to Independence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $656,314 in Kent vs $208,158 in Independence β a 215.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Kent more expensive than Independence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kent is 20.1% higher than Independence (111.133 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Kent, WA from Independence, MO?
The driving distance is 1873 mi and the route typically takes 32h 20m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Independence vs Kent?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,416 in Kent vs $59,480 in Independence β a 52.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Kent compare to Independence?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Kent MSA vs $48,040 in the Independence MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Independence to Kent?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1873 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Independence.
City profiles: Independence, MO Β· Kent, WA.