Moving from Billings, MT to Lee's Summit, MO
It is 1043 mi between Billings and Lee's Summit β roughly 18h 21m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1043 mi Β· 18h 21m by car Β· MT β WY β SD β IA β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MT β WY β SD β IA β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Omaha, Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Lee's Summit | 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 |
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
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Billings to Lee's Summit β $392,209 vs $390,166 (2026-03).
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Billings | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature rises 7.5Β°F moving to Lee's Summit per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.6 |
Lee's Summit households earn about 1.1% more than Billings at the median β $71,855 β $104,989 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lee's Summit 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 Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Billings to Lee's Summit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1043 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $392,209 in Billings β a 0.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $71,855 in Billings β a 46.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit 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.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit 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 far is Lee's Summit, MO from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1043 mi and the route typically takes 18h 21m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 6 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 Β· Lee's Summit, MO.