Moving from Renton, WA to Sacramento, CA
It is 747 mi between Renton and Sacramento β roughly 14h 24m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
747 mi Β· 14h 24m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 405, WA 169 |
| Major cities en route | Elk Grove, Roseville, Eugene, Salem, Hillsboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 19.2" |
Annual temperature rises 9.8Β°F moving to Sacramento per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Sacramento β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.63 |
Households in Sacramento earn about 4.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How far is Sacramento, CA from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 747 mi and the route typically takes 14h 24m via I 5 and I 405. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 4.0% lower than Renton (106.67 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $764,375 in Renton β a 37.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 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 Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 747 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $96,626 in Renton β a 13.3% 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· Sacramento, CA.