Moving from Renton, WA to St. Paul, MN
It is 1666 mi and 28h 31m from Renton to St. Paul β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1666 mi Β· 28h 31m by car Β· MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Fargo, Billings, Spokane Valley, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | St. Paul | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.7% moving from Renton to St. Paul β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, St. Paul β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 9Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 29.2" |
Expect 7.1Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 307,762 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $73,055 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.5 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.7% β $96,626 β $73,055 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Paul MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota'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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Renton to St. Paul?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1666 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is St. Paul, MN from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1666 mi and the route typically takes 28h 31m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is St. Paul more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Paul is 5.7% lower than Renton (104.822 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in St. Paul compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 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 St. Paul?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,055 in St. Paul vs $96,626 in Renton β a 24.4% 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· St. Paul, MN.