Moving from Billings, MT to South Bend, IN
It is 1320 mi between Billings and South Bend β roughly 23h 44m 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.
1320 mi Β· 23h 44m by car Β· MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Rochester, Madison, Rockford, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | South Bend | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 92.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 87.733 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 94.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 74.586 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, South Bend +4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Billings | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 40.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, S BEND, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 102,866 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $52,512 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.5 |
South Bend households earn about 0.7% less than Billings at the median β $71,855 β $52,512 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Bend MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,450 | $40,720 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,860 | $28,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,250 | $38,580 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,870 | $34,500 |
| Production Occupations | 11,260 | $39,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana'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
- 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.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in South Bend compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,420 in the South Bend MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 129,890 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Billings vs South Bend?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,512 in South Bend vs $71,855 in Billings β a 26.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Billings to South Bend?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1320 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is South Bend more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Bend is 0.7% lower than Billings (92.858 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is South Bend, IN from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1320 mi and the route typically takes 23h 44m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in South Bend compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $192,340 in South Bend vs $392,209 in Billings β a 51.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT Β· South Bend, IN.