Moving from Lakewood, CO to Renton, WA
The drive from Lakewood, CO to Renton, WA runs 1310 mi β about 22h 47m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1310 mi Β· 22h 47m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 97 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Aurora, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Renton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Renton is 5.1% higher than Lakewood, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Renton is 5.1% above Lakewood β $573,913 vs $764,375 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Renton -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 34.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Lakewood (50.4Β°F) and Renton (53.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, RENTON MUNI AP, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 105,279 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $96,626 |
| Median age | 38 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.55 |
Income steps up 5.1%: $85,789 in Lakewood vs $96,626 in Renton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Renton 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 Colorado 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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 β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Renton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1310 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Renton more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Renton is 5.1% higher than Lakewood (111.133 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Renton compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Renton MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Renton compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $764,375 in Renton vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 33.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Renton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,626 in Renton vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 12.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Renton, WA from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1310 mi and the route typically takes 22h 47m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 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 Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Renton, WA.