Moving from Renton, WA to Los Angeles, CA
The drive from Renton, WA to Los Angeles, CA runs 1128 mi β about 21h 19m 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.
1128 mi Β· 21h 19m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Torrance, Fullerton, Pasadena, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Los Angeles and Renton is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Los Angeles is 2.2% above Renton β $764,375 vs $952,183 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 14.1" |
Climate warms by 10.2Β°F on the annual average β 53.6Β°F β 63.8Β°F.
Los Angeles gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.72 |
Income steps down 2.2%: $96,626 in Renton vs $80,366 in Los Angeles.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Renton to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1128 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1128 mi and the route typically takes 21h 19m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $96,626 in Renton β a 16.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $764,375 in Renton β a 24.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 2.2% higher than Renton (113.566 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Los Angeles, CA.