Quick answer: The cost to move from Modesto to Billings ranges from $1,035 to $8,056 and the journey will take approximately two to eight days. Key factors influencing these estimates include your moving volume, chosen moving date, and whether you opt for professional movers or handle the 1,154-mile move on your own.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Billings to Modesto guide.
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Best Movers By Type
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Best Professional Movers from Modesto to Billings
Choosing a long-distance mover for your trip from Modesto to Billings can be tough. With so many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed about who you can truly count on.
Save yourself the hassle of sorting through countless moving companies — we've already narrowed down the best for you. Our favorites earned their spots thanks to rave reviews, budget-friendly prices, and versatile services to suit any type of move.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to MT move
Local moving companies servicing Modesto to Billings moves
When planning a move from Modesto to Billings, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. There are plenty of companies, but which ones are actually worth it?
We've taken care of the research for you — reviewing local movers in Modesto who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Modesto to Billings.
- Grace Moving Company: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Casey Moving Systems: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Pete's Moving Services: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Brewer Moving LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Pack it up Movers: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0189642
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 2806730
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0115405
Years in Business: 23
DOT #: 153088
Alternate Names: Casey Records Management, Dawson Van & Storage, United Van Lines
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191440
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 3314910
Alternate Names: Petes Moving Services LLC, Pete's Moving Services LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0192036
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 3329727
Alternate Names: Brewer Moving, LLC, J B Moving
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191672
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 3054559
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Modesto to Billings?
Modesto movers charge $128 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,550 - $5,948 | $1,160 - $2,808 | $884 - $1,717 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,286 - $8,056 | $1,978 - $3,963 | $1,035 - $2,147 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,420 - $10,815 | $2,623 - $5,241 | $1,312 - $2,667 |
Cost to hire movers from California to Montana
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Montana will cost between $1,550 and $5,948. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to MT will range from $3,286 to $8,056, and a large move from California to Montana will cost from $5,420 to $10,815.
Cost of moving containers from California to Montana
If you're relocating from California to Montana, you'll typically spend between $1,160 and $2,808 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,978 up to $3,963. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $2,623 and $5,241. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Montana
Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you'll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $884 and $1,717 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $1,035 to $2,147. If you're relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you'll likely spend anywhere from $1,312 to $2,667.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Modesto to Billings
What to know before moving from Modesto to Billings
Moving from Modesto to Billings means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Modesto than in Billings, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Modesto compares to Billings so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Modesto | Billings | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,800 | $1,300 |
Average home value | $442,362 | $381,592 |
Average income (per capita) | $67,011 | $63,515 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,312 | $1,773 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,946 | $4,536 |
Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 4.1% |
Sales tax | 8.88% | 0.0% |
State income tax | 13.3% | 6.75% |
- Rent prices in Billings are 28% lower than in Modesto, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Billings.
Home prices in Billings are 13.7% lower than in Modesto. - Income in Billings is 5.2% lower than in Modesto, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Billings — including Billings Clinic, First Interstate BancSystem, and The Waggoners Trucking — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Billings. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 23.3% lower than in Modesto.
- A move to Billings can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 23.7% less than what it costs in Modesto.
- The unemployment rate in Billings is 48.75% lower than in Modesto.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Billings, since the city's sales taxes in Billings are 100.00% lower than in Modesto.
- One perk of moving to Billings is paying less in state income taxes, which are 49.25% lower than in Modesto.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,300.61 in Billings to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Modesto.
How life is different in Modesto vs. Billings
Billings | Modesto | |
---|---|---|
Population | 184,167 | 218,464 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 5 |
Walkability score | 35 | 48 |
Bike friendliness score | 47 | 48 |
Crime Index | 48.63 | 65.76 |
Safety Index | 50.37 | 34.24 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Billings might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 16% less than Modesto.
- Getting around Billings without a car might be more difficult than in Modesto. Billings has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Modesto is ranked 5. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Billings neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Modesto. Based on its score of 35 out of 100, Billings isn't as walkable as Modesto, which has a score of 48 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- Billings and Modesto are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 47 and 48 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- Billings has a lower crime rate than Modesto based on scores of 48.63 and Modesto's 65.76, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Billings than in Modesto, based on Billings's safety index of 50.37 versus 34.24 for Modesto. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Billings has better air quality than in Modesto. Billings has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Modesto. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.
Other things to consider for your Modesto vs. Billings move
- Weather: June, September and August are the most pleasant months in Billings, while December and January are the least comfortable months.
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Montana, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Montana doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Billings without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opt for Released Value Protection, a no-cost option from movers with basic coverage. Movers assume liability for up to 60 cents per pound per item. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable painting weighing 20 pounds, you would only receive $12 (60 cents x 20 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for the full value of your items, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Billings
Now that you've decided to make the move to Magic City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Billings.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Billings
- South Park
- Poly Vista
- North Park
- Shiloh Crossing
Best neighborhoods for families
- Josephine Crossing
- West End
- Heights
- Briarwood
- Ironwood Estates
Things to do in Billings
Now that you've made the move to Montana it's the perfect time to explore Billings From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Billings features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Moss Mansion, Yellowstone Art Museum, Western Heritage Center, Yellowstone County Museum, and Wise Wonders Children's Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's The Rimrocks, ZooMontana, DanWalt Gardens, and Pictograph Cave State Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (GNAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Billings?
The best time to move from Modesto to Billings is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Modesto.
When is the cheapest time to move from Modesto to Billings?
With many people choosing to move from Modesto to Billings in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Modesto to Billings take?
The 1,154-mile move from Modesto, CA, to Billings, MT, takes two to eight days. Some Modesto movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Billings.