Moving from New York, NY to Billings, MT
Moving from New York, NY to Billings, MT is a 2050 mi cross-country relocation — about 36h 54m of driving through 10 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.
2050 mi · 36h 54m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 80, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Jersey City, Elizabeth, Newark, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New York | 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 |
Billings is 16.9% cheaper than New York 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 16.9% below New York — $812,861 vs $392,209 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: New York +4.5%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New York | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 24.5" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.1" | 14.3" |
Billings is 7.3°F cooler on the annual average (55.5°F vs 48.2°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New York | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $79,713 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 38 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.35 |
Median household income in Billings is 16.9% below New York ($79,713 → $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 New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- 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 24.5 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
How does household income compare in New York vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $79,713 in New York — a 9.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to New York?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $812,861 in New York — a 51.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Billings compare to New York?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $59,390 in the New York 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.
Is Billings more expensive than New York?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 16.9% lower than New York (93.526 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from New York 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 2050 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between New York and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 55.5°F in New York (7.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 24.5 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 47.1 in.
How far is Billings, MT from New York, NY?
The driving distance is 2050 mi and the route typically takes 36h 54m via I 94 and I 80. The trip crosses 10 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 New York.
City profiles: New York, NY · Billings, MT.