Quick answer: A move from San Diego to Billings costs $1,117–$8,075 and takes three to eight days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you're moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,306-mile move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Billings to San Diego guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from San Diego to Billings
Choosing a long-distance mover for your move from San Diego to Billings can be tough. With so many options, it's hard to know which companies you can actually trust.
Skip the hassle of endless research — we've narrowed down the top choices for you. We picked these movers based on real reviews, competitive pricing, and the variety of services they offer.
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
The top local movers servicing San Diego to Billings moves
It's not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in San Diego that also handles long-distance moves to Billings. With so many options, figuring out which ones you can trust takes time.
Luckily, we've done the research for you. We evaluated the top local movers in San Diego who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
These are the best local movers for your long-distance move from San Diego to Billings.
- Best California Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Republic Moving & Storage: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- One Stop Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- We Like To Move It Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Grizzly Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: T0192283
Pricing: $109/hr
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3489907
Alternate Names: Best California Movers & Storage, An Moving Forward
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0190491
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 3369820
Alternate Names: Lovejoy's Family Moving, Republic Relocation Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 0190616
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1956864
Alternate Names: One Stop Moving & Storage Inc, San Diego Expert Movers, Quick San Diego Movers, Coastal Movers, Manpower Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0191446
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2843171
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191376
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2642040
Alternate Names: Grizzly Movers LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Billings?
San Diego movers charge $200 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 | $1,582 - $5,963 | $1,120 - $2,942 | $973 - $1,994 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,450 - $8,075 | $2,023 - $4,285 | $1,117 - $2,189 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,712 - $11,303 | $2,801 - $5,361 | $1,364 - $2,865 |
Cost to hire movers from California to Montana
If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom home from California to Montana, you can expect to spend between $1,582 and $5,963. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,450 to $8,075 on the same route (CA to MT). Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from California to Montana typically runs between $5,712 and $11,303.
Cost of moving containers from California to Montana
Moving containers from California to Montana will cost you $1,120 to $2,942 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,023 to $4,285. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,801 to $5,361. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of 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 $973 and $1,994 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $1,117 to $2,189. If you're relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you'll likely spend anywhere from $1,364 to $2,865.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Factors that influence moving costs from San Diego to Billings
What to know before moving from San Diego to Billings
Moving from San Diego to Billings means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in San Diego than in Billings, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how San Diego compares to Billings so you know what to expect before you relocate:
San Diego | Billings | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,881 | $1,300 |
Average home value | $1,003,444 | $381,592 |
Average income (per capita) | $72,963 | $63,515 |
Cost of living (single person) | $3,346 | $1,773 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,719 | $4,536 |
Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 4.1% |
Sales tax | 7.75% | 0.0% |
State income tax | 13.3% | 6.75% |
- Rent prices in Billings are 55% lower than in San Diego, 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 62.0% lower than in San Diego. - Income in Billings is 12.9% lower than in San Diego, 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 47.0% lower than in San Diego.
- 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 41.2% less than what it costs in San Diego.
- The unemployment rate in Billings is 37.88% lower than in San Diego.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Billings, since the city's sales taxes in Billings are 100.00% lower than in San Diego.
- One perk of moving to Billings is paying less in state income taxes, which are 49.25% lower than in San Diego.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,589.66 in Billings to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Diego.
How life is different in San Diego vs. Billings
Billings | San Diego | |
---|---|---|
Population | 184,167 | 1,386,932 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 6 |
Walkability score | 35 | 53 |
Bike friendliness score | 47 | 43 |
Crime Index | 48.63 | 39.83 |
Safety Index | 50.37 | 60.17 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Billings might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 87% less than San Diego.
- Getting around Billings without a car might be more difficult than in San Diego. Billings has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas San Diego is ranked 6. 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 San Diego. Based on its score of 35 out of 100, Billings isn't as walkable as San Diego, which has a score of 53 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.
- If cycling is your thing, Billings is considered more bike-friendly than San Diego in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Billings has a bike-friendliness score of 47 out of 100, while San Diego is rated as 43 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Billings is higher than in San Diego, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 48.63 in Billings, it is 39.83 in San Diego. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Billings. With a crime index of 50.37, Billings ranks lower in overall safety than San Diego, whose index is 60.17. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Billings has better air quality than in San Diego. Billings has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Diego. 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 San Diego 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
With your sights set on Magic City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider 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
Once you're settled into your new home in Montana, it's time to get out and discover what Billings has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Billings is home to museums and cultural arts centers like 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 sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (GNAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Billings?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from San Diego to Billings are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in San Diego. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Diego to Billings?
Because most people are moving from San Diego to Billings in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from San Diego to Billings take?
Moving from San Diego, CA to Billings, MT covers 1,306 miles and usually takes three to eight days Need to move faster? Some San Diego movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Billings.