Moving from Billings, MT to Buffalo, NY
A 1786 mi cross-country move between Billings and Buffalo is 32h 3m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1786 mi · 32h 3m 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 | Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Buffalo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 95.844 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 129.489 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 80.989 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 93.526 vs 95.844 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $392,209 to $238,089 moving to Buffalo.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Buffalo +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 95.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 40.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Billings (48.2°F) and Buffalo (48.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Buffalo averages 95.4 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: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, BUFFALO, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 276,397 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $48,050 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.31 |
Buffalo households earn about 2.5% less than Billings at the median — $71,855 → $48,050 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Buffalo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 71,050 | $45,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 46,930 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 45,050 | $36,000 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 38,950 | $82,350 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 38,910 | $40,300 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and New York
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New York'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 — Buffalo averages 95.4 in annually vs 57.4 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 New York after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Billings to Buffalo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1786 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Buffalo, NY from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1786 mi and the route typically takes 32h 3m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Buffalo compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $238,089 in Buffalo vs $392,209 in Billings — a 39.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Buffalo compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,560 in the Buffalo MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 526,990 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Buffalo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.8°F in Buffalo vs 48.2°F in Billings (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 95.4 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 14.3 in.
Is Buffalo more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Buffalo is 2.5% higher than Billings (95.844 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Buffalo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,050 in Buffalo vs $71,855 in Billings — a 33.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Buffalo, NY.