Moving from Renton, WA to Memphis, TN
A 2392 mi cross-country move between Renton and Memphis is 41h 2m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 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.
2392 mi Β· 41h 2m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.1% cheaper overall in Memphis than Renton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 54.9" |
Annual temperature rises 9.8Β°F moving to Memphis per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 17.1% less than Renton at the median β $96,626 β $51,211 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
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.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis average 92Β°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: Memphis averages 54.9 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 much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $764,375 in Renton β a 81.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2392 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 625,340 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 Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $96,626 in Renton β a 47.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Memphis, TN from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2392 mi and the route typically takes 41h 2m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Memphis more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 17.1% lower than Renton (92.179 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· Memphis, TN.