Moving from Seattle, WA to Kent, WA
Moving from Seattle, WA to Kent, WA is a 22 mi drive, about 35 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
22 mi Β· 35 min by car Β· WA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, WA 167, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Bellevue, Renton, Tacoma |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Kent | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Kent and Seattle is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Kent is 0.0% below Seattle β $868,680 vs $656,314 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Kent -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 40.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Seattle (53.2Β°F) and Kent (53.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, KENT, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 135,015 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $90,416 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 21.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.89 |
Median household income in Kent is 0.0% below Seattle ($121,984 vs $90,416, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kent MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- 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 east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Kent compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Kent MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Kent?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,416 in Kent vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 25.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Kent compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $656,314 in Kent vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 24.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Kent?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 22 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Kent, WA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 22 mi and the route typically takes 35 min via I 5 and WA 167. The trip crosses 1 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Kent, WA.