($741+) San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT ranges from $1,312 to $9,152, with an average cost of $3,350. Moves can be as low as $741 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,164 miles and usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT
Moving options from San Francisco to Billings fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,312 - $9,152 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,350, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,164 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,164-mile route from San Francisco to Billings, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,312 - $4,995, container $1,339 - $2,337, rental truck $733 - $1,469, freight trailer $1,100 - $2,145.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,809 - $6,227, container $1,708 - $3,288, rental truck $876 - $1,764, freight trailer $1,339 - $2,525.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,683 - $9,152, container $2,333 - $4,216, rental truck $1,068 - $2,235, freight trailer $1,777 - $3,619.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,164-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Billings, Montana, with costs ranging from $1,312 - $9,152. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $555 - $3,700. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Francisco and Billings. Local movers in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,312 - $4,995
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,809 - $6,227
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,683 - $9,152
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from San Francisco to Billings.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Montana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Billings, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $925 - $9,250 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $370 - $2,220/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $555 - $4,440 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,850 - $5,550 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,625 - $18,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,386 - $2,633 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,850 - $4,625 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,480 - $6,475 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $555 - $2,775 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,203 - $3,700 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $555 - $27,750+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $555 - $6,475+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Billings?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Francisco, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Billings, Montana, cost between $1,339 and $4,216. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in San Francisco costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,339 - $2,337
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,708 - $3,288
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,333 - $4,216
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $139 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $278 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $1,295 in San Francisco, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Billings, MT, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Montana move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,339. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,708 - $3,288, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Billings?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in San Francisco to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in San Francisco:
- Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- Dependable Movers, LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 47 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT
Renting a moving truck for the 1,164-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Billings, Montana, costs between $733 and $2,235, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $685 - $783
- Daily insurance: $56/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $37
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from San Francisco to Billings based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $733 - $1,469
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $876 - $1,764
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,068 - $2,235
Pro tip: The base rate of $733 - $2,235 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from San Francisco to Billings. Fuel ($685 - $783) , lodging at around $278/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in San Francisco, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,295.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $685 - $783 for the 1,164-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $111 and $601, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $278 per night for hotel stops on the 1,164-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $555 - $833.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Billings?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Francisco, California, to Billings, Montana, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,339 and $2,525.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,100 - $2,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,339 - $2,525
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,777 - $3,619
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,295.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $139 and $278 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Billings?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from San Francisco to Billings, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: San Francisco, CA vs Billings, MT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Billings, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Billings, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 95 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $310,937 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $71,855/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 50.37/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Billings, MT to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 1 real quotes from California to Montana, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,164-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,164-mile route from San Francisco, CA, to Billings, MT, run $1,312 - $9,152 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,339 - $4,216, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $733 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,809, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Billings Clinic and First Interstate BancSystem.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Billings, MT
What is the best time of year to move from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Billings a safe place to live?
Billings has a safety index of 50.37 out of 100 and a crime index of 48.63, compared to 38.59 and 61.41 in San Francisco. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Billings?
Billings has a walkability score of 35 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, compared to 99 and 99 in San Francisco. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Billings?
For families, Josephine Crossing, West End, and Heights are worth a look in Billings. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Billings, South Park, and Poly Vista tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
