Moving from Billings, MT to Ann Arbor, MI
It is 1492 mi between Billings and Ann Arbor β roughly 26h 25m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1492 mi Β· 26h 25m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Dearborn, South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Ann Arbor | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 100.88 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 98.184 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 93.711 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 125.3 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.9% above Billings β 93.526 β 100.88 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Ann Arbor +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Billings | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 59.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 37.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 59.3 in of snowfall annually at Ann Arbor.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, ANN ARBOR SE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 121,179 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $81,089 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 27.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 30.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.43 |
Households in Ann Arbor earn about 7.9% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ann Arbor MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 29,010 | $50,890 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 25,400 | $81,710 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 24,670 | $42,280 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,280 | $32,120 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,740 | $36,520 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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 20β30% 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 snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Ann Arbor averages 59.3 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Ann Arbor compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 215,300 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1492 mi and the route typically takes 26h 25m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Ann Arbor compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $523,391 in Ann Arbor vs $392,209 in Billings β a 33.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Ann Arbor more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ann Arbor is 7.9% higher than Billings (100.88 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Ann Arbor?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,089 in Ann Arbor vs $71,855 in Billings β a 12.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Ann Arbor?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1492 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT Β· Ann Arbor, MI.