Moving from Billings, MT to Rochester, NY
It is 1853 mi and 33h 20m from Billings to Rochester — a cross-country move across 9 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.
1853 mi · 33h 20m by car · NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Rochester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 97.035 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 133.213 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 87.481 | 100.0 |
Billings and Rochester sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $392,209 in Billings to $235,784 in Rochester, a 3.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Rochester +3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 102.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 35.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 48.2°F vs 49.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Rochester sees 102.0 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 209,720 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $46,628 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 17.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.27 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.8% — $71,855 → $46,628 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rochester MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 61,270 | $44,600 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 45,540 | $60,700 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 41,530 | $35,920 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 39,820 | $34,320 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 34,560 | $39,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and New York
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New York'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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- 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 — check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — 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 — 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Rochester averages 102.0 in annually vs 57.4 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 New York after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Billings to Rochester?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1853 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Rochester more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rochester is 3.8% higher than Billings (97.035 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Rochester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $46,628 in Rochester vs $71,855 in Billings — a 35.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rochester compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $235,784 in Rochester vs $392,209 in Billings — a 39.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Rochester?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Rochester vs 48.2°F in Billings (1.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 102.0 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 14.3 in.
How far is Rochester, NY from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1853 mi and the route typically takes 33h 20m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Rochester compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,500 in the Rochester MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 493,220 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 · Rochester, NY.