Renton

Thinking about moving to Renton, WA?

Renton sits at the south end of Lake Washington, about 11 miles from downtown Seattle, with I-405 and SR 167 running through it. You'll find older homes near the lake, newer neighborhoods on the hills, a downtown with local restaurants and shops, and The Landing, with Topgolf, a movie theater and more. Renton is where my office is, so these are streets I drive every day.

In this guide, I'll walk you through homes, neighborhoods, parks, things to do, commute options and what to know before you buy.

Quick facts about Renton
- County: King County
- Distance to Seattle: about 11 miles
- Distance to Bellevue: about 10 miles
- Median sale price: $750,000 for single-family homes (source: NWMLS, September 2026)
- Main roads: I-405, SR 167, SR 900, SR 169
- Transit: Renton Transit Center; Sound Transit Stride S1 bus rapid transit to Bellevue and Burien planned for 2028

What do people like about living in Renton?
Renton gives you lake access, trails and things to do close to home, without being far from Seattle, Bellevue or Sea-Tac Airport. Highlights include:
- Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park on Lake Washington
- The Cedar River Trail for walking and biking
- Topgolf near The Landing, with hitting bays, food and drinks
- The Landing, with shops, restaurants and a movie theater
- Downtown Renton's local restaurants, coffee shops and the Renton Farmers Market (seasonal)
- Quick access to I-405, SR 167 and the airport

What kinds of homes are in Renton?
- Mid-century ramblers and split-levels
- Newer single-family homes, especially in the Highlands and east Renton
- Townhomes and condos near downtown and The Landing
- Homes with Lake Washington or territorial views on the hills

What are the main neighborhoods in Renton?
- Kennydale: North Renton near Lake Washington, close to I-405 and Coulon Park. A mix of older and newer homes, some with lake views.
- Renton Highlands: Up the hill northeast of downtown. Older homes plus a lot of newer construction and townhomes.
- East Renton Highlands (98059): Larger lots and newer subdivisions toward the Cedar River and May Valley, with easy access to SR 900.
- Benson Hill & Fairwood: South and southeast of downtown. Established neighborhoods, a golf course nearby in Fairwood, and quick access to SR 167.
- Talbot Hill: South of downtown, with hillside streets and views toward the valley.
- Downtown Renton: Walkable streets, townhomes and condos, close to the transit center, the Cedar River, The Landing and Topgolf.

Parks and outdoor recreation
- Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park (swimming beach, boat launch, lakeside trail)
- Cedar River Trail and Cedar River Park
- Liberty Park and Riverview Park
- May Creek Trail
- Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, a short drive northeast

Shopping, dining and entertainment
- Topgolf: hitting bays, food and drinks, near The Landing
- The Landing: shops, restaurants and a movie theater
- Downtown Renton's restaurants and coffee shops
- IKEA Renton
- Southcenter Mall in nearby Tukwila

What is the commute like from Renton?
Typical drive times, depending on traffic:
- Bellevue: 15 to 30 minutes
- Seattle: 20 to 30 minutes
- Sea-Tac Airport: 10 to 20 minutes
- Kent: 15 to 20 minutes

Transit: King County Metro buses run from the Renton Transit Center. Sound Transit's Stride S1 bus rapid transit along I-405 between Bellevue and Burien, with a stop at a relocated Renton Transit Center, is planned for 2028 (source: Sound Transit).

Schools
Depending on the address, Renton homes are in the Renton, Issaquah or Kent school districts. If schools matter to your search, check boundaries directly with the district and see the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for school information.

Is Renton a good fit for you?
Renton may be worth a look if you want:
- Lake Washington parks and trails nearby
- Things to do close to home, like Topgolf, The Landing and downtown restaurants
- A range of home types and price points
- Quick access to I-405, SR 167 and Sea-Tac Airport

It may be less of a fit if:
- You want to walk to Seattle's downtown
- You'd rather avoid I-405 traffic at rush hour

Frequently asked questions

How far is Renton from Seattle?
About 11 miles to downtown Seattle, usually a 20 to 30 minute drive depending on traffic.

What is the median home price in Renton?
The median sale price for single-family homes in Renton was $750,000 in September 2026 (source: NWMLS).

What are the main neighborhoods in Renton?
Kennydale, the Renton Highlands, East Renton Highlands, Benson Hill, Fairwood, Talbot Hill and Downtown Renton. Each has a different mix of homes and commute options.

Read my full Kennydale guide.

Is there light rail in Renton?
Not yet. Renton has bus service from the Renton Transit Center, and Sound Transit's Stride S1 bus rapid transit to Bellevue and Burien is planned for 2028.

What is there to do in Renton?
Swim or walk at Gene Coulon Park, bike the Cedar River Trail, play a round at Topgolf, shop or catch a movie at The Landing, or grab dinner downtown.

Thinking about moving to Renton?
Whether you're relocating, buying your first home, moving up or downsizing, I'd be glad to help you compare Renton neighborhoods and see what homes are selling for right now. My office is right here in Renton. Reach out anytime with questions or to set up a tour.

Jon Hodgson | Hodgson Homes - John L. Scott