Moving from Billings, MT to Huntington Beach, CA
It is 1245 mi between Billings and Huntington Beach β roughly 22h 6m 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.
1245 mi Β· 22h 6m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β ID β MT β WY
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β ID β MT β WY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, US 191, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Torrance, Inglewood, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Huntington Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Huntington Beach is 21.4% more expensive than Billings on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $392,209 in Billings to $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach, a 21.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Huntington Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Billings | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 11.2" |
Annual average temperature jumps 16.7Β°F β 48.2Β°F in Billings vs 64.9Β°F in Huntington Beach, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 196,010 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $119,885 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 43.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.53 |
Huntington Beach households earn about 21.4% more than Billings at the median β $71,855 β $119,885 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntington Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Huntington Beach sees only 11.2 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Billings to Huntington Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1245 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 Huntington Beach compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach vs $392,209 in Billings β a 248.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Huntington Beach more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntington Beach is 21.4% higher than Billings (113.566 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Huntington Beach, CA from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1245 mi and the route typically takes 22h 6m via I 15 and US 191. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Huntington Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,885 in Huntington Beach vs $71,855 in Billings β a 66.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Huntington Beach compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Huntington Beach MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT Β· Huntington Beach, CA.