Moving from Peoria, IL to Billings, MT
The drive from Peoria, IL to Billings, MT runs 1203 mi — about 21h 13m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1203 mi · 21h 13m by car · MT → WY → SD → IA → NE → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MT → WY → SD → IA → NE → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Omaha, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Billings and Peoria is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Billings is 2.5% above Peoria — $128,838 vs $392,209 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 14.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Peoria (52.7°F) and Billings (48.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Billings averages 57.4 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.35 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.5% between Peoria and Billings (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 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.
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 26.2 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 Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 1203 mi and the route typically takes 21h 13m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 22.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Billings more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 2.5% higher than Peoria (93.526 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Peoria 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 1203 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 52.7°F in Peoria (4.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 37.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Billings compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 204.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Billings compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 89,600 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Billings, MT.