Moving from Bellevue, WA to Billings, MT
It is 809 mi between Bellevue and Billings — roughly 14h 9m 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.
809 mi · 14h 9m by car · WA → ID → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → ID → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 2, US 395 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.8% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Billings at 93.526 vs Bellevue at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,516,154 to $392,209 moving to Billings.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 14.3" |
Annual temperature drops 5.0°F moving to Billings per 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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.35 |
Billings households earn about 15.8% less than Bellevue at the median — $161,300 → $71,855 on 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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 3.8 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
How does the job market in Billings compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 89,600 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue 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 809 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Billings, MT from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 809 mi and the route typically takes 14h 9m via I 90 and US 2. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Billings more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 15.8% lower than Bellevue (93.526 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 74.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 55.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (5.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 37.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Billings, MT.