Moving from Billings, MT to Akron, OH

A 1613 mi cross-country move between Billings and Akron is 28h 40m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β€” rent, taxes, climate, commute β€” usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.

1613 mi Β· 28h 40m by car Β· OH β†’ IN β†’ IL β†’ WI β†’ MN β†’ ND β†’ MT

COL -0.2% Home values -64.8% Ξ” +4.1Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1613 mi
Drive time
28h 40m
States
7
Fuel (25 mpg)
65 gal
Route throughOH β†’ IN β†’ IL β†’ WI β†’ MN β†’ ND β†’ MT
Primary highwaysI 94, I 90, I 80
Major cities en routeCleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Naperville

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

BillingsAkronU.S. avg
All items (RPP)93.52693.37100.0
Rents72.43796.448100.0
Goods96.00693.628100.0
Services77.36476.785100.0

No material COL gap at the headline level β€” BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Billings β€” typical home
$392,209
Akron β€” typical home
$137,894
Billings β€” typical rent
$1,419/mo
Akron β€” typical rent
$1,123/mo

0.2% drop on the typical home value β€” a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.

YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Akron +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsBillingsAkron
Annual avg temperature48Β°F52Β°F
January avg low18Β°F21Β°F
July avg high87Β°F85Β°F
Annual snowfall57.4"β€”
Annual precipitation14.3"32.5"

No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023BillingsAkron
Population118,321189,526
Median household income$71,855$48,544
Median age38.137.2
Bachelor's degree or higher25%15.3%
Avg household size2.352.26

Akron households earn about 0.2% less than Billings at the median β€” $71,855 β†’ $48,544 on ACS 2023.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Billings MSA β€” median wage
$46,000
Akron MSA β€” median wage
$45,950
Billings MSA β€” employment
89,600
Akron MSA β€” employment
320,810

Top occupations in Akron MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 39,390 $41,700
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 35,340 $38,160
Sales and Related Occupations 28,050 $35,310
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 27,940 $28,550
Production Occupations 25,300 $41,600

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Montana and Ohio

Montana income tax
5.9% top marginal
Ohio income tax
3.5% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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 β€” 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

  • Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β€” check 511wi.
  • I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β€” 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 β€” check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.

State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.

Frequently asked

How far is Akron, OH from Billings, MT?

The driving distance is 1613 mi and the route typically takes 28h 40m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

When is the best time to move from Billings to Akron?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1613 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Is Akron more expensive than Billings?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Akron is 0.2% lower than Billings (93.37 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How much do homes cost in Akron compared to Billings?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $137,894 in Akron vs $392,209 in Billings β€” a 64.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does household income compare in Billings vs Akron?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,544 in Akron vs $71,855 in Billings β€” a 32.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How does the job market in Akron compare to Billings?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,950 in the Akron MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 320,810 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.

City profiles: Billings, MT Β· Akron, OH.

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