Moving from Renton, WA to Portland, OR
It is a 165 mi drive, roughly 3h 17m, between Renton, WA and Portland, OR. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
165 mi Β· 3h 17m by car Β· OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, US 30, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Gresham, Hillsboro, Vancouver, Tacoma, Kent |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.1% moving from Renton to Portland 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 $534,638 in Portland, a 5.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 44.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.6Β°F vs 54.8Β°F per 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, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.24 |
Households in Portland earn about 5.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Portland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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
- 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
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $764,375 in Renton β a 30.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $96,626 in Renton β a 8.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 165 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Portland more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 5.1% lower than Renton (105.421 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Portland, OR from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 165 mi and the route typically takes 3h 17m via I 5 and US 30. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Portland, OR.