Quick answer: A move from Santa Ana to Billings costs $1,045–$7,947 and takes two 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 1,237-mile move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Billings to Santa Ana guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Santa Ana to Billings
Choosing a long-distance mover for your trip from Santa Ana 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 movers servicing Santa Ana to Billings moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in Santa Ana that also provides long-distance services to Billings can feel overwhelming. Many companies make similar promises, but not all live up to them.
That's where we come in — we've analyzed local movers in Santa Ana who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Santa Ana to Billings.
- Best California Movers: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Meathead Movers: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Terry Moving and Storage Inc.: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Maison Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 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 #: 189849
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 921143
Alternate Names: Meat Head Movers Inc, Meathead Movers Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 189603
Years in Business: 28
DOT #: 649215
Alternate Names: Terry Moving and Storage Inc, Richards Moving Company, Orange County Storage Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0190726
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 76628
Alternate Names: Orange County Movers Inc, College Boys Moving and Storage of Orange County, Affordable Moving and Storage of Orange County
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0182466
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1836576
Alternate Names: NorthStar Moving Corporation
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Santa Ana to Billings?
Santa Ana movers charge $75 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 |
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Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,542 - $5,954 | $1,157 - $2,639 | $918 - $1,900 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,536 - $7,947 | $2,112 - $4,081 | $1,045 - $2,215 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,565 - $10,575 | $2,752 - $5,464 | $1,367 - $2,595 |
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 $1,542 and $5,954. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,536 to $7,947 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 $5,565 and $10,575.
Cost of moving containers from California to Montana
If you're moving from California to Montana, expect to pay between $1,157 and $2,639 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $2,112 up to $4,081. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $2,752 and $5,464. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Montana
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $918 to $1,900. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,045 to $2,215, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Montana costs around $1,367 to $2,595.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Santa Ana to Billings
What to know before moving from Santa Ana to Billings
Moving from Santa Ana to Billings means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Santa Ana than in Billings, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Santa Ana compares to Billings so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Santa Ana | Billings | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,650 | $1,300 |
Average home value | $843,858 | $381,592 |
Average income (per capita) | $77,283 | $63,515 |
Cost of living (single person) | $6,333 | $1,773 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $11,160 | $4,536 |
Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 4.1% |
Sales tax | 9.25% | 0.0% |
State income tax | 13.3% | 6.75% |
- Rent prices in Billings are 51% lower than in Santa Ana, 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 54.8% lower than in Santa Ana. - Income in Billings is 17.8% lower than in Santa Ana, 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 72.0% lower than in Santa Ana.
- 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 59.4% less than what it costs in Santa Ana.
- The unemployment rate in Billings is 41.43% lower than in Santa Ana.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Billings, since the city's sales taxes in Billings are 100.00% lower than in Santa Ana.
- One perk of moving to Billings is paying less in state income taxes, which are 49.25% lower than in Santa Ana.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $839.89 in Billings to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Santa Ana.
How life is different in Santa Ana vs. Billings
Billings | Santa Ana | |
---|---|---|
Population | 184,167 | 310,227 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 7 |
Walkability score | 35 | 67 |
Bike friendliness score | 47 | 62 |
Crime Index | 48.63 | 54.17 |
Safety Index | 50.37 | 45.83 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Billings's population is about 41% less than Santa Ana.
- Billings's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Santa Ana's higher score of 7.
- Billings is less walkable than Santa Ana with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Santa Ana's 67 out of 100.
- Billings has a bike-friendliness score 47 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as Santa Ana, which has a score of 62 out of 100.
- Billings's crime rate is lower than Santa Ana with a score of 48.63 compared to Santa Ana's 54.17. This means that Billings neighborhoods are safer than 48.63% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Santa Ana neighborhoods are safer than 54.17%.
- Billings is considered to be safer than Santa Ana with a safety index of 50.37 vs Santa Ana's 45.83.
- Air quality in Billings is good, and in Santa Ana it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Santa Ana 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
After settling into your new Montana home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Billings has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Billings, such as 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 — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (GNAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Billings?
The best time to move from Santa Ana to Billings is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Santa Ana.
When is the cheapest time to move from Santa Ana to Billings?
With many people choosing to move from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana to Billings take?
The 1,237-mile move from Santa Ana, CA, to Billings, MT, takes two to eight days. Some Santa Ana movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Billings.