Moving from Billings, MT to Aurora, IL
The drive from Billings, MT to Aurora, IL runs 1243 mi — about 21h 39m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1243 mi · 21h 39m by car · IL → WI → MN → ND → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → WI → MN → ND → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Aurora is 10.8% higher than Billings, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Aurora is 10.8% below Billings ($316,958 vs $392,209 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 39.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Billings (48.2°F) and Aurora (50.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Aurora averages 27.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 10.8% between Billings and Aurora (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- 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
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Billings vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $71,855 in Billings — a 25.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Aurora more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 10.8% higher than Billings (103.595 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 48.2°F in Billings (2.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 14.3 in.
How far is Aurora, IL from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1243 mi and the route typically takes 21h 39m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $392,209 in Billings — a 19.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1243 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Aurora, IL.