Moving from Billings, MT to Sparks, NV
It is 949 mi between Billings and Sparks — roughly 16h 52m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
949 mi · 16h 52m by car · MT → ID → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | MT → ID → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 20, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Reno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Sparks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 123.478 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.0% above Billings — 93.526 → 101.014 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Sparks -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 54°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 6.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 8.4" |
Annual temperature rises 5.3°F moving to Sparks per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Sparks gets around 6.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, SPARKS, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 109,106 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $86,979 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.64 |
Sparks households earn about 8.0% more than Billings at the median — $71,855 → $86,979 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sparks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sparks average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Sparks sees only 8.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Sparks compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $529,283 in Sparks vs $392,209 in Billings — a 34.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Sparks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,979 in Sparks vs $71,855 in Billings — a 21.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sparks, NV from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 949 mi and the route typically takes 16h 52m via I 80 and US 20. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Sparks?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 949 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 Sparks?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.5°F in Sparks vs 48.2°F in Billings (5.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 6.8 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 8.4 in vs 14.3 in.
Is Sparks more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sparks is 8.0% higher than Billings (101.014 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sparks compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Sparks MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 254,100 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 · Sparks, NV.