Moving from Billings, MT to Orlando, FL
Cross-country relocations like Billings, MT → Orlando, FL cover 2277 mi and about 41h 11m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2277 mi · 41h 11m by car · FL → GA → TN → KY → IL → MO → IA → SD → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → TN → KY → IL → MO → IA → SD → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 90, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Gainesville, South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Chattanooga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 93.526 in Billings to 101.418 in Orlando, a 8.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $392,209 vs $374,136 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 50°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 51.5" |
Major climate step-up: 24.8°F warmer annual average in Orlando vs Billings.
Effectively snow-free year in Orlando — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.46 |
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 Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Orlando average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (24.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Orlando, FL from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 2277 mi and the route typically takes 41h 11m via I 75 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $392,209 in Billings — a 4.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2277 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Orlando more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 8.4% higher than Billings (101.418 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $71,855 in Billings — a 3.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Orlando?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.0°F in Orlando vs 48.2°F in Billings (24.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 51.5 in vs 14.3 in.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 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 · Orlando, FL.