Moving from Kent, WA to Sparks, NV
A move from Kent, WA to Sparks, NV covers 711 mi and around 14h 32m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
711 mi Β· 14h 32m by car Β· WA β OR β CA β NV
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β CA β NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, US 395, OR 58 |
| 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 | Sparks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 123.478 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Sparks are 9.1% below Kent β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 9.1% lower in Sparks than Kent as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Sparks -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 8.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.8Β°F vs 53.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 6.8 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, SPARKS, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 109,106 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $86,979 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.64 |
Household income lines up β $90,416 vs $86,979 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sparks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sparks average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Sparks sees only 8.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Sparks compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $529,283 in Sparks vs $656,314 in Kent β a 19.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Sparks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,979 in Sparks vs $90,416 in Kent β a 3.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Sparks?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 711 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Sparks compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Sparks MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 254,100 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Sparks more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sparks is 9.1% lower than Kent (101.014 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Sparks, NV from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 711 mi and the route typically takes 14h 32m via I 5 and US 395. The trip crosses 4 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· Sparks, NV.