Moving from Dearborn, MI to Billings, MT
Moving from Dearborn, MI to Billings, MT is a 1506 mi cross-country relocation — about 26h 53m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1506 mi · 26h 53m by car · MT → WY → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | MT → WY → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| 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
| Dearborn | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
Billings is 6.8% cheaper than Dearborn overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Billings is 6.8% above Dearborn — $245,068 vs $392,209 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Dearborn +4.3%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dearborn | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 30.8" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 14.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Dearborn (49.5°F) and Billings (48.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Billings averages 57.4 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: DEARBORN, MI US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dearborn | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $65,192 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 32.6 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.35 |
Median household income in Billings is 6.8% above Dearborn ($65,192 → $71,855, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Billings MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,390 | $41,920 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,620 | $28,940 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,260 | $36,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 8,020 | $43,020 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 6,880 | $79,030 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Montana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Montana'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.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Billings averages 57.4 in annually vs 30.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Dry climate: Billings sees only 14.3 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 Montana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Billings more expensive than Dearborn?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 6.8% lower than Dearborn (93.526 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Dearborn and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 49.5°F in Dearborn (1.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 30.8 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 35.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Dearborn to Billings?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1506 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to Dearborn?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $245,068 in Dearborn — a 60.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Dearborn vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $65,192 in Dearborn — a 10.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Billings compare to Dearborn?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA, on total employment of 89,600 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Billings, MT from Dearborn, MI?
The driving distance is 1506 mi and the route typically takes 26h 53m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 8 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 Dearborn.
City profiles: Dearborn, MI · Billings, MT.