City Comparison
Renton vs New York City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Renton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Renton
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Renton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Renton's average rent is
38% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Renton | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $3,382 | -38% |
| Groceries | $480 | $520 | -8% |
| Utilities | $190 | $370 | -49% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,160 | $4,652 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Renton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Renton is estimated at
$65,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Renton | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,778 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $92,000 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Renton runs warmer on average — a 54.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Renton comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Renton sees 10.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Renton | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Renton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Renton | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 88.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 89.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Renton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Renton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Renton | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,000 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Renton
Advantages
Strategic Puget Sound location with convenient access to Seattle, Bellevue, and Sea-Tac International Airport
Stunning natural amenities including Lake Washington waterfront access and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Diverse and inclusive community with a rich cultural fabric and active local neighborhoods
Strong local economy anchored by aerospace manufacturing, healthcare, and technology
Vibrant downtown City Centre undergoing continuous revitalization and new dining developments
Drawbacks
Elevated cost of living and housing prices significantly higher than the U.S. national average
Significant traffic congestion along major commuter corridors such as Interstate 405 during peak hours
Higher-than-average property crime rates typical of growing urban and suburban transition zones
Frequent Pacific Northwest overcast weather and high annual rainfall totals
Competitive real estate market making homeownership difficult for middle-income buyers
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Renton
#521Washington, USA
51.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
54.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
72
New York City
#584New York, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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