Moving from Renton, WA to Atlanta, GA
A 2638 mi cross-country move between Renton and Atlanta is 46h 56m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2638 mi Β· 46h 56m by car Β· GA β TN β KY β IL β MO β IA β NE β SD β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β TN β KY β IL β MO β IA β NE β SD β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 29, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Sandy Springs, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, Clarksville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Atlanta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.0% cheaper overall in Atlanta than Renton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Atlanta -3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 48.1" |
Annual temperature rises 8.7Β°F moving to Atlanta per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 499,287 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $81,938 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 32.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.16 |
Households in Atlanta earn about 10.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Atlanta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Atlanta average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Atlanta compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Atlanta more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Atlanta is 10.0% lower than Renton (100.058 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Atlanta, GA from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2638 mi and the route typically takes 46h 56m via I 90 and I 29. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Atlanta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,938 in Atlanta vs $96,626 in Renton β a 15.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Atlanta compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $385,599 in Atlanta vs $764,375 in Renton β a 49.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Atlanta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2638 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Atlanta, GA.