Moving from Billings, MT to Peoria, IL
The drive from Billings, MT to Peoria, IL runs 1203 mi — about 21h 13m 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.
1203 mi · 21h 13m by car · MT → WY → SD → IA → NE → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MT → WY → SD → IA → NE → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Omaha, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Peoria and Billings is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Peoria is 2.5% below Billings — $392,209 vs $128,838 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Billings (48.2°F) and Peoria (52.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Peoria averages 26.2 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, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.29 |
Income steps down 2.5%: $71,855 in Billings vs $58,716 in Peoria.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,760 | $41,540 |
| Production Occupations | 15,910 | $46,610 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,790 | $29,380 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,580 | $38,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 13,350 | $71,500 |
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
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Peoria averages 26.2 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 does household income compare in Billings vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $71,855 in Billings — a 18.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 165,240 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 Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1203 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $392,209 in Billings — a 67.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 2.5% lower than Billings (91.231 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 48.2°F in Billings (4.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 14.3 in.
How far is Peoria, IL from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1203 mi and the route typically takes 21h 13m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Peoria, IL.