Moving from Brockton, MA to Billings, MT
It is 2233 mi and 40h 48m from Brockton to Billings — a cross-country move across 11 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.
2233 mi · 40h 48m by car · MT → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | MT → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Rochester, Madison, Rockford, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brockton | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.6% moving from Brockton to Billings — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $503,833 in Brockton to $392,209 in Billings, a 13.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Brockton +1.4%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Brockton | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.3" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.2" | 14.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.4°F vs 48.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Billings sees 57.4 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BROCKTON, MA US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brockton | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $77,089 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.6% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.95 | 2.35 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.6% lower in Billings than Brockton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Billings MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,390 | $41,920 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,620 | $28,940 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,260 | $36,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 8,020 | $43,020 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 6,880 | $79,030 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Massachusetts and Montana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Montana'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
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
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 — Billings averages 57.4 in annually vs 34.3 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Dry climate: Billings sees only 14.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Montana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Billings, MT from Brockton, MA?
The driving distance is 2233 mi and the route typically takes 40h 48m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Billings more expensive than Brockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 13.6% lower than Brockton (93.526 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to Brockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $503,833 in Brockton — a 22.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Brockton and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 51.4°F in Brockton (3.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 34.3 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 50.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Brockton to Billings?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2233 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Brockton vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $77,089 in Brockton — a 6.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brockton.
City profiles: Brockton, MA · Billings, MT.