Moving from Billings, MT to Montgomery, AL
It is 1798 mi and 33h from Billings to Montgomery β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1798 mi Β· 33h by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β MO β IA β SD β MT
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β MO β IA β SD β MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 29, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Memphis, Springfield, Overland Park, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 64.347 | 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
4.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Billings | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 51.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 19.7Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.1% β $71,855 β $55,687 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Montgomery MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,200 | $37,110 |
| Production Occupations | 16,130 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,580 | $35,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,470 | $30,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,170 | $24,070 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Montgomery average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Montgomery averages 51.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Montgomery more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 4.1% lower than Billings (89.682 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 160,840 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 Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $71,855 in Billings β a 22.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $392,209 in Billings β a 61.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1798 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1798 mi and the route typically takes 33h via I 90 and I 29. The trip crosses 8 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· Montgomery, AL.