Moving from Billings, MT to Pittsburgh, PA
Cross-country relocations like Billings, MT β Pittsburgh, PA cover 1713 mi and about 30h 26m of driving through 8 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.
1713 mi Β· 30h 26m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Billings (93.526) and Pittsburgh (94.671) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Pittsburgh: 1.2% below Billings on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Billings | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 41.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.21 |
Income steps down 1.2%: $71,855 in Billings vs $64,137 in Pittsburgh.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pittsburgh MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 137,860 | $43,230 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 96,800 | $28,940 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 90,050 | $39,900 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 89,070 | $35,000 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 79,490 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- 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 β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β 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 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1713 mi and the route typically takes 30h 26m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $71,855 in Billings β a 10.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 1.2% higher than Billings (94.671 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1713 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 Pittsburgh compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $392,209 in Billings β a 39.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT Β· Pittsburgh, PA.