Moving from Billings, MT to Philadelphia, PA
A 2009 mi cross-country move between Billings and Philadelphia is 35h 49m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2009 mi · 35h 49m by car · PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 76, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.7% above Billings — 93.526 → 102.554 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 50.7" |
Annual temperature rises 9.5°F moving to Philadelphia per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.1 in of snowfall annually at Philadelphia.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.36 |
Households in Philadelphia earn about 9.7% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — 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 — 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: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Billings to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2009 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 2009 mi and the route typically takes 35h 49m via I 94 and I 76. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 48.2°F in Billings (9.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 14.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $392,209 in Billings — a 40.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 9.7% higher than Billings (102.554 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $71,855 in Billings — a 15.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Philadelphia, PA.