Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Billings, MT
It is 2036 mi and 36h 31m from Elizabeth to Billings — a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2036 mi · 36h 31m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 80, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
Expect about 16.9% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Billings at 93.526 vs Elizabeth at 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.9% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $534,667 to $392,209 moving to Billings.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 14.3" |
Expect 7.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 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: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.35 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 16.9% higher in Billings than Elizabeth.
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 New Jersey 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
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Billings averages 57.4 in annually vs 31.5 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
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 2036 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 Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 26.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Billings more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 16.9% lower than Elizabeth (93.526 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Billings, MT from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 2036 mi and the route typically takes 36h 31m via I 94 and I 80. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Billings compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 89,600 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 12.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (7.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 46.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Billings, MT.