Moving from Billings, MT to Laredo, TX
Cross-country relocations like Billings, MT → Laredo, TX cover 1623 mi and about 28h 23m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1623 mi · 28h 23m by car · TX → OK → CO → WY → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → CO → WY → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 87, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Lubbock, Amarillo, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Laredo is 7.0% cheaper than Billings overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Laredo is 7.0% below Billings — $392,209 vs $220,331 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 19.7" |
Laredo runs 26.8°F warmer on the annual average (48.2°F vs 75.0°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 3.36 |
Income steps down 7.0%: $71,855 in Billings vs $63,264 in Laredo.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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 Laredo average 100°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (26.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $392,209 in Billings — a 43.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Laredo more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 7.0% lower than Billings (86.956 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $71,855 in Billings — a 12.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1623 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 48.2°F in Billings (26.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 14.3 in.
How far is Laredo, TX from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1623 mi and the route typically takes 28h 23m via US 87 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Laredo, TX.