Moving from Rochester, NY to Billings, MT
It is 1853 mi and 33h 20m from Rochester 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.
1853 mi · 33h 20m by car · NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.035 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.213 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.481 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.6% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rochester +3.0%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 102.0" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 14.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 57.4 in of snowfall annually at Billings.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $46,628 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.35 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.6% — $46,628 → $71,855 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
- Winter gear first: Billings averages 57.4 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 much do homes cost in Billings compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $235,784 in Rochester — a 66.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Billings compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $48,500 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 89,600 and 493,220 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Billings, MT from Rochester, NY?
The driving distance is 1853 mi and the route typically takes 33h 20m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $46,628 in Rochester — a 54.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Billings more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 3.6% lower than Rochester (93.526 vs 97.035, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 1853 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 49.5°F in Rochester (1.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 102.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 35.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, NY · Billings, MT.