Moving from Billings, MT to Kansas City, KS
The drive from Billings, MT to Kansas City, KS runs 1021 mi — about 17h 54m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1021 mi · 17h 54m by car · KS → MO → IA → NE → SD → WY → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → IA → NE → SD → WY → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 29, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Overland Park, Independence, Lee S Summit, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Kansas City and Billings is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Kansas City is 1.1% below Billings — $392,209 vs $198,195 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 38.1" |
Climate warms by 8.7°F on the annual average — 48.2°F → 56.9°F.
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.72 |
Income steps down 1.1%: $71,855 in Billings vs $59,183 in Kansas City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Billings to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1021 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1021 mi and the route typically takes 17h 54m via I 90 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 1.1% lower than Billings (92.543 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $71,855 in Billings — a 17.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $392,209 in Billings — a 49.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 48.2°F in Billings (8.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 14.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Kansas City, KS.