Moving from St. Paul, MN to Renton, WA
A 1666 mi cross-country move between St. Paul and Renton is 28h 31m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
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
| St. Paul | Renton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.0% above St. Paul β 104.822 β 111.133 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Renton -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 34.7" |
Annual temperature rises 7.1Β°F moving to Renton per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, RENTON MUNI AP, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 105,279 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $96,626 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.55 |
Renton households earn about 6.0% more than St. Paul at the median β $73,055 β $96,626 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Renton 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.
Moving between Minnesota and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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.
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.
- Register to vote in Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Renton more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Renton is 6.0% higher than St. Paul (111.133 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Renton?
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 does the job market in Renton compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Renton MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Renton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,626 in Renton vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 32.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Renton, WA from St. Paul, MN?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Renton, WA.