Moving from Yonkers, NY to Billings, MT
A 2053 mi cross-country move between Yonkers and Billings is 36h 48m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 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.
2053 mi · 36h 48m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 80, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, New York, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Yonkers | Billings | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 93.526 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 72.437 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.006 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 77.364 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 16.9% moving from Yonkers to Billings — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $680,218 in Yonkers to $392,209 in Billings, a 16.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Yonkers +5.9%, Billings +1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Yonkers | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.7" | 57.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.2" | 14.3" |
Annual temperature drops 5.2°F moving to Billings per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Billings sees 57.4 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US, BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Yonkers | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,529 | 118,321 |
| Median household income | $81,816 | $71,855 |
| Median age | 39 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.6% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.35 |
Households in Billings earn about 16.9% 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 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Billings averages 57.4 in annually vs 32.7 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 much do homes cost in Billings compared to Yonkers?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $392,209 in Billings vs $680,218 in Yonkers — a 42.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Yonkers and Billings?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Billings vs 53.4°F in Yonkers (5.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 57.4 in vs 32.7 in. Annual precipitation: 14.3 in vs 51.2 in.
How does household income compare in Yonkers vs Billings?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,855 in Billings vs $81,816 in Yonkers — a 12.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Billings, MT from Yonkers, NY?
The driving distance is 2053 mi and the route typically takes 36h 48m via I 94 and I 80. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Billings more expensive than Yonkers?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Billings is 16.9% lower than Yonkers (93.526 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Yonkers 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 2053 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Billings compare to Yonkers?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,000 in the Billings MSA vs $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA, on total employment of 89,600 and 9,495,240 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 Yonkers.
City profiles: Yonkers, NY · Billings, MT.