Moving from Renton, WA to Topeka, KS
Cross-country relocations like Renton, WA β Topeka, KS cover 1831 mi and about 31h 26m of driving through 7 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.
1831 mi Β· 31h 26m by car Β· KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | 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 | Aurora, Denver, Centennial, Lakewood, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Topeka | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 88.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 88.942 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 64.987 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Topeka is 20.1% lower than Renton β the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Topeka: 20.1% below Renton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Topeka -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 37.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, TOPEKA - NWS, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 126,103 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $55,902 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 18.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.32 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 20.1% between Renton and Topeka (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Topeka MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,950 | $39,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,940 | $41,900 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 8,460 | $63,790 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 8,420 | $27,880 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 8,350 | $70,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- 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
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Renton vs Topeka?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,902 in Topeka vs $96,626 in Renton β a 42.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Topeka?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1831 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 Topeka compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,340 in the Topeka MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 113,350 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Topeka more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Topeka is 20.1% lower than Renton (88.82 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Topeka, KS from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1831 mi and the route typically takes 31h 26m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Topeka compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $190,096 in Topeka vs $764,375 in Renton β a 75.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Topeka, KS.