Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Renton, WA
Cross-country relocations like Minneapolis, MN β Renton, WA cover 1658 mi and about 28h 22m of driving through 5 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.
1658 mi Β· 28h 22m by car Β· MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Fargo, Billings, Spokane Valley, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Renton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Renton is 6.0% higher than Minneapolis, 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 6.0% above Minneapolis β $330,882 vs $764,375 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Renton -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 34.7" |
Climate warms by 7.8Β°F on the annual average β 45.8Β°F β 53.6Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, RENTON MUNI AP, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 105,279 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $96,626 |
| Median age | 33 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.55 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.0% between Minneapolis and Renton (ACS 2023).
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 Minnesota 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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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
How does the job market in Renton compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Renton MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Renton, WA from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 1658 mi and the route typically takes 28h 22m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Renton compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $764,375 in Renton vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 131.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Renton more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Renton is 6.0% higher than Minneapolis (111.133 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Renton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1658 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 Minneapolis vs Renton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,626 in Renton vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 20.4% higher 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 Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Renton, WA.