City Comparison
Renton vs Redmond
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Redmond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Renton
Redmond
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Renton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Redmond.
Housing costs are a major driver: Renton's average rent is
14% lower than Redmond's.
| Metric | Renton | Redmond | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $2,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $480 | $520 | -8% |
| Utilities | $190 | $195 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $140 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $290 | -10% |
| Monthly Total | $3,160 | $3,595 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Redmond offers 32% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Redmond delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Renton is estimated at
$65,000 vs $85,000 in Redmond.
| Metric | Renton | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $115,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,778 idx | 75,658 idx |
| Household Income | $92,000 | $145,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Redmond sees 8.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Renton | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.30°F | 52.40°F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | 76.20°F |
| Winter Low | 36.60°F | 32.90°F |
| Rainfall | 50.70 in | 54.30 in |
| Snowfall | 10.60 in | 18.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | 218 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Redmond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Redmond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Renton | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 56.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Renton is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Redmond.
From a growth perspective, Redmond is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Redmond has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Renton | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,000 | 76,543 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
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
Redmond
Advantages
World-class job market anchored by Microsoft and a booming technology sector
Exceptional public school system and high overall educational attainment
Abundant outdoor recreation, including over 50 parks and miles of dedicated bike trails
Low crime rates and consistently high safety rankings statewide
Expansion of the Sound Transit Link light rail improving regional connectivity
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep housing prices compared to the national average
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major arteries like SR 520
Competitive real estate market making homeownership challenging for median earners
Overcast and rainy winter weather patterns characteristic of the Pacific Northwest
Rising commercial and residential rents impacting local small businesses
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
Redmond
#272Washington, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
218/yr
Avg Temp
52.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
86
Business
88
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