Moving from Billings, MT to Joliet, IL
It is 1246 mi between Billings and Joliet — roughly 21h 56m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1246 mi · 21h 56m by car · IL → IA → NE → SD → WY → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → SD → WY → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Joliet | 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 |
Expect roughly 10.8% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $392,209 to $259,875 moving to Joliet.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 38.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Billings (48.2°F) and Joliet (50.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Joliet averages 16.9 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, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 10.8% more than Billings at the median — $71,855 → $88,026 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Joliet 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
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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: Joliet averages 16.9 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 much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $392,209 in Billings — a 33.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Joliet, IL from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1246 mi and the route typically takes 21h 56m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $71,855 in Billings — a 22.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet 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 Joliet compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet 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.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1246 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 48.2°F in Billings (2.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 14.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Joliet, IL.