City Comparison
Renton vs Seattle
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seattle scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Renton
Seattle
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Renton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Seattle.
| Metric | Renton | Seattle | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $2,250 | -7% |
| Groceries | $480 | $520 | -8% |
| Utilities | $190 | $210 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $140 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $290 | -10% |
| Monthly Total | $3,160 | $3,410 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seattle offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Seattle delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Renton is estimated at
$65,000 vs $82,000 in Seattle.
| Metric | Renton | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $98,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $82,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,778 idx | 64,474 idx |
| Household Income | $92,000 | $115,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Seattle comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Renton sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Renton | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.30°F | 54.40°F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | 76.10°F |
| Winter Low | 36.60°F | 38.10°F |
| Rainfall | 50.70 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 10.60 in | 8.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | 238 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Seattle scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seattle leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Renton | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 73.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 62.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seattle is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Renton.
From a growth perspective, Renton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Seattle has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Renton | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,000 | 783,155 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| 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
Seattle
Advantages
Thriving job market anchored by global tech, aerospace, and biotech leaders
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation including mountains, forests, and marine waters
High median household income well above the national average
Vibrant culinary, coffee, and craft beverage culture
Progressive, highly educated, and culturally active community
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. average
Frequent overcast skies and high annual rainfall during the winter months
Persistent traffic congestion during peak commuting hours
Urban property crime and public safety challenges in specific downtown sectors
High barrier to entry for prospective first-time home buyers
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
Seattle
#513Washington, USA
51.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$98,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
84
Business
85
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