Moving from Kent, WA to Tyler, TX
Cross-country relocations like Kent, WA β Tyler, TX cover 2173 mi and about 38h 33m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2173 mi Β· 38h 33m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Tyler | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.156 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 82.904 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 79.911 | 100.0 |
Tyler is 17.1% cheaper than Kent overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tyler is 17.1% below Kent β $656,314 vs $251,563 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Tyler -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 47.7" |
Climate warms by 12.7Β°F on the annual average β 53.8Β°F β 66.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, TYLER, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 107,718 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $65,527 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 20.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.86 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.1% between Kent and Tyler (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tyler MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 12,210 | $37,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,080 | $38,150 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,660 | $71,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,430 | $26,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,210 | $30,020 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tyler average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Kent to Tyler?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2173 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 Tyler compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,080 in the Tyler MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 111,520 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tyler compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,563 in Tyler vs $656,314 in Kent β a 61.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tyler, TX from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2173 mi and the route typically takes 38h 33m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tyler more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tyler is 17.1% lower than Kent (92.156 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Tyler?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,527 in Tyler vs $90,416 in Kent β a 27.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Tyler, TX.