Renton WA vs Washington DC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Renton
75,721
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Washington
13.3%
White
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Renton
2.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 13.3% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 39.1% | Renton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $106,287 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $75,253 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.5% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 14.5% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 63.6% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 41.1% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Renton +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 24.6% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.7% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Renton, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 32.8 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Renton, WALos Angeles, CA vs Renton, WAChicago, IL vs Renton, WAHouston, TX vs Renton, WAPhoenix, AZ vs Renton, WAPhiladelphia, PA vs Renton, WA