Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Billings, MT
It is 1492 mi between Ann Arbor and Billings β roughly 26h 25m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1492 mi Β· 26h 25m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Dearborn, South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.3% cheaper overall in Billings than Ann Arbor on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 14.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 57.4 in of snowfall annually at Billings.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.35 |
Households in Billings earn about 7.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Michigan 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β 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 β 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
- Winter gear first: Billings averages 57.4 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 the job market in Billings compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 89,600 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Billings more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 7.3% lower than Ann Arbor (93.526 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Billings?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1492 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Billings, MT from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 1492 mi and the route typically takes 26h 25m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor β a 11.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor β a 25.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI Β· Billings, MT.