Moving from Kent, WA to Santa Clara, CA
It is 823 mi between Kent and Santa Clara β roughly 15h 58m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
823 mi Β· 15h 58m by car Β· WA β OR β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 680, I 505 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Tacoma, Vancouver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 13.5" |
Annual temperature rises 6.9Β°F moving to Santa Clara per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.66 |
Santa Clara households earn about 0.6% more than Kent at the median β $90,416 β $173,670 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and California
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 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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Santa Clara sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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
How much do homes cost in Santa Clara compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $656,314 in Kent β a 171.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Santa Clara more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 0.6% lower than Kent (110.423 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 823 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 Kent vs Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $90,416 in Kent β a 92.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Santa Clara, CA from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 823 mi and the route typically takes 15h 58m via I 5 and I 680. The trip crosses 3 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 Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Santa Clara, CA.