Moving from Elgin, IL to Billings, MT
It is 1190 mi between Elgin and Billings — roughly 20h 58m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1190 mi · 20h 58m by car · MT → WY → SD → MN → WI → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MT → WY → SD → MN → WI → IL |
|---|---|
| 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
| Elgin | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.7% cheaper overall in Billings than Elgin on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 9.7% above Elgin — $329,682 → $392,209 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 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: ELGIN, IL US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.35 |
Households in Billings earn about 9.7% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Illinois 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
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 32.1 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
Is Billings more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 9.7% lower than Elgin (93.526 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Billings, MT from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 1190 mi and the route typically takes 20h 58m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 19.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 49.0°F in Elgin (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 39.9 in.
How does the job market in Billings compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 89,600 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elgin 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 1190 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 18.6% 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 Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Billings, MT.