Moving from Buffalo, NY to Billings, MT
A 1786 mi cross-country move between Buffalo and Billings is 32h 3m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1786 mi · 32h 3m 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 | Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Buffalo | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.844 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 129.489 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.989 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.4% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Buffalo +3.8%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Buffalo | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 95.4" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 14.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 57.4 in of snowfall annually at Billings.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BUFFALO, NY US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Buffalo | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $48,050 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.35 |
Billings households earn about 2.4% more than Buffalo at the median — $48,050 → $71,855 on ACS 2023.
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 New York 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
- 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
- Winter gear first: Billings averages 57.4 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
Is Billings more expensive than Buffalo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 2.4% lower than Buffalo (93.526 vs 95.844, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Buffalo 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 1786 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Buffalo vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $48,050 in Buffalo — a 49.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Billings compare to Buffalo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $48,560 in the Buffalo MSA, on total employment of 89,600 and 526,990 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to Buffalo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $238,089 in Buffalo — a 64.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Buffalo and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 48.8°F in Buffalo (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 95.4 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 40.7 in.
How far is Billings, MT from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance is 1786 mi and the route typically takes 32h 3m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 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 Buffalo.
City profiles: Buffalo, NY · Billings, MT.