Moving from Joliet, IL to Billings, MT
Relocating 1246 mi from Joliet to Billings is a 21h 56m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1246 mi · 21h 56m by car · IL → IA → NE → SD → WY → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → SD → WY → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | 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 Joliet on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 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: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.35 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.7% lower in Billings than Joliet.
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
- 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 16.9 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 Joliet vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 18.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 50.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 50.4°F in Joliet (2.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 38.0 in.
How does the job market in Billings compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet 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 Joliet 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 1246 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Billings, MT from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 1246 mi and the route typically takes 21h 56m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Billings more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 9.7% lower than Joliet (93.526 vs 103.595, 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 Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Billings, MT.