Moving from Renton, WA to Montgomery, AL
Cross-country relocations like Renton, WA β Montgomery, AL cover 2713 mi and about 46h 57m of driving through 12 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.
2713 mi Β· 46h 57m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β 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 | Birmingham, Memphis, Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Montgomery is 19.3% cheaper than Renton overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Montgomery is 19.3% below Renton β $764,375 vs $151,228 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 51.8" |
Climate warms by 14.3Β°F on the annual average β 53.6Β°F β 67.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.46 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 19.3% between Renton and Montgomery (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Montgomery MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,200 | $37,110 |
| Production Occupations | 16,130 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,580 | $35,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,470 | $30,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,170 | $24,070 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Montgomery average 94Β°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: Montgomery averages 51.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Renton vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $96,626 in Renton β a 42.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 19.3% lower than Renton (89.682 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2713 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2713 mi and the route typically takes 46h 57m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $764,375 in Renton β a 80.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Montgomery, AL.