Moving from Dayton, OH to Billings, MT
It is 1524 mi and 27h 17m from Dayton to Billings — a cross-country move across 7 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.
1524 mi · 27h 17m by car · OH → IN → IL → IA → SD → WY → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → IN → IL → IA → SD → WY → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 74, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Sioux Falls |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 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
0.9% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 14.3" |
Expect 5.1°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 57.4 in of snowfall annually at Billings.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DAYTON MCD, OH US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.35 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.9% — $43,454 → $71,855 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Ohio 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
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 — Billings averages 57.4 in annually vs 12.3 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 does household income compare in Dayton vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 65.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 187.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Dayton and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 53.3°F in Dayton (5.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 12.3 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 41.7 in.
How far is Billings, MT from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 1524 mi and the route typically takes 27h 17m via I 90 and I 74. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dayton 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 1524 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Billings more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 0.9% higher than Dayton (93.526 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH · Billings, MT.