Moving from Renton, WA to Chattanooga, TN
It is 2529 mi and 44h 54m from Renton to Chattanooga β a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2529 mi Β· 44h 54m by car Β· TN β GA β KY β IL β MO β IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β KY β IL β MO β IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 29, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville, St Louis, Columbia, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 17.7% moving from Renton to Chattanooga β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $764,375 in Renton to $319,579 in Chattanooga, a 17.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 55.0" |
Expect 8.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.6 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.35 |
Expect median household income to fall 17.7% β $96,626 β $61,028 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 Chattanooga average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2529 mi and the route typically takes 44h 54m via I 90 and I 29. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2529 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 17.7% lower than Renton (91.464 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $764,375 in Renton β a 58.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $96,626 in Renton β a 36.8% 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 Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Chattanooga, TN.