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Moving from Kent, WA to Fresno, CA

Relocating 907 mi from Kent to Fresno is a 17h 33m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.

907 mi · 17h 33m by car · CA → OR → WA

COL -8.1% Home values -40.4% Δ +11.2°F annual

Distance & route

Driving

907 mi

Drive time

17h 33m

States

Fuel (25 mpg)

36 gal

Route through	CA → OR → WA
Primary highways	I 5, CA 99, WA 167
Major cities en route	Clovis, Modesto, Stockton, Antioch, Elk Grove

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

	Kent	Fresno	U.S. avg
All items (RPP)	111.133	102.158	100.0
Rents	92.814	161.01	100.0
Goods	103.972	105.168	100.0
Services	151.314	95.725	100.0

Expect about 8.1% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Fresno at 102.158 vs Kent at 111.133.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Kent — typical home

$656,314

Fresno — typical home

$391,328

Kent — typical rent

$1,907/mo

Fresno — typical rent

$1,900/mo

Expect roughly 8.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $656,314 to $391,328 moving to Fresno.

YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Fresno +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normals	Kent	Fresno
Annual avg temperature	54°F	65°F
January avg low	36°F	41°F
July avg high	78°F	98°F
Annual snowfall	—	0.0"
Annual precipitation	40.1"	11.0"

Expect 11.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Fresno gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023	Kent	Fresno
Population	135,015	543,615
Median household income	$90,416	$66,804
Median age	35.3	32.4
Bachelor's degree or higher	21.1%	16.7%
Avg household size	2.89	3.03

Expect median household income to fall 8.1% — $90,416 → $66,804 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Kent MSA — median wage

$65,260

Fresno MSA — median wage

$44,530

Kent MSA — employment

2,079,090

Fresno MSA — employment

408,820

Top occupations in Fresno MSA

Occupation	Employment	Median wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations	46,600	$45,210
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations	40,930	$38,480
Healthcare Support Occupations	35,500	$32,240
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations	33,440	$33,710
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations	32,010	$59,270

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Washington and California

Washington income tax

no state income tax

California income tax

13.3% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.

Best time to move

Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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

Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 — check WSDOT mountain passes report.

State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.

Packing & arrival checklist

Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fresno average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
Dry climate: Fresno sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
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 California after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

When is the best time to move from Kent to Fresno?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 907 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Is Fresno more expensive than Kent?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fresno is 8.1% lower than Kent (102.158 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How far is Fresno, CA from Kent, WA?

The driving distance is 907 mi and the route typically takes 17h 33m via I 5 and CA 99. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How much do homes cost in Fresno compared to Kent?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $391,328 in Fresno vs $656,314 in Kent — a 40.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does household income compare in Kent vs Fresno?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,804 in Fresno vs $90,416 in Kent — a 26.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How does the job market in Fresno compare to Kent?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Fresno MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 408,820 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 Kent.

City profiles: Kent, WA · Fresno, CA.