Moving from Billings, MT to Detroit, MI
Moving from Billings, MT to Detroit, MI is a 1528 mi cross-country relocation β about 27h 4m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1528 mi Β· 27h 4m 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 | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Detroit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 93.526 in Billings to 100.298 in Detroit, a 7.2% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Detroit: 7.2% below Billings on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Billings | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 34.9" |
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, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Detroit is 7.2% below Billings ($71,855 vs $39,575, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Detroit MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Billings to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1528 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Detroit more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit is 7.2% higher than Billings (100.298 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $71,855 in Billings β a 44.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Detroit, MI from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1528 mi and the route typically takes 27h 4m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Detroit compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $392,209 in Billings β a 80.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT Β· Detroit, MI.