Moving from Allentown, PA to Billings, MT
Cross-country relocations like Allentown, PA → Billings, MT cover 1971 mi and about 35h 17m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1971 mi · 35h 17m by car · PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 80, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Billings are 6.4% below Allentown — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Billings typical home at $392,209 is 6.4% above Allentown at $309,699 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 14.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.1°F vs 48.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Billings sees 57.4 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.35 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.4% between Allentown and Billings (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Billings MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,390 | $41,920 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,620 | $28,940 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,260 | $36,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 8,020 | $43,020 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 6,880 | $79,030 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Montana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Montana's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Billings averages 57.4 in annually vs 33.1 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Dry climate: Billings sees only 14.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Montana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 34.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Billings, MT from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 1971 mi and the route typically takes 35h 17m via I 94 and I 80. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Billings?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1971 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Billings compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 89,600 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Billings more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 6.4% lower than Allentown (93.526 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 26.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Allentown and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 53.1°F in Allentown (4.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 47.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Billings, MT.