Moving from Billings, MT to Chicago, IL
The drive from Billings, MT to Chicago, IL runs 1255 mi β about 21h 59m 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.
1255 mi Β· 21h 59m by car Β· IL β WI β MN β ND β MT
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β WI β MN β ND β MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Chicago | 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 |
BEA RPP moves from 93.526 in Billings to 103.595 in Chicago, a 10.8% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Chicago ZHVI at $317,283 is 10.8% below Billings at $392,209.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Billings | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.36 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago 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 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
- 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Chicago, IL from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1255 mi and the route typically takes 21h 59m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1255 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $392,209 in Billings β a 19.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Chicago more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 10.8% higher than Billings (103.595 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago 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 does household income compare in Billings vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $71,855 in Billings β a 4.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT Β· Chicago, IL.