Top Chicago, IL to Billings, MT Movers

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Billings to Chicago guide.

1. New City Moving: 5.0 out of 5 stars
2. The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.86 out of 5 stars
3. H2H Movers Inc: 4.8 out of 5 stars
4. STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.9 out of 5 stars
5. Alliance Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Illinois to Montana

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Montana will cost between $1,467 and $5,662. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to MT will range from $3,202 to $7,864, and a large move from Illinois to Montana will cost from $5,681 to $9,849.

Cost of moving containers from Illinois to Montana

If you're relocating from Illinois to Montana, you'll typically spend between $1,077 and $2,862 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $2,092 up to $4,081. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $2,752 and $5,193. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.

Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Illinois.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Illinois to Montana

Looking to save money? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just keep in mind that you'll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.

If you're moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $995 and $1,790. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,003 and $2,303. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,380 and $2,809.

These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.

• Rent prices in Billings are 36% lower than in Chicago, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
• The home prices in Billings are 29.0% higher than in Chicago, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
• Income in Billings is 11.2% lower than in Chicago, 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 51.4% lower than in Chicago.
• 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 51.0% less than what it costs in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Billings is 54.44% lower than in Chicago.
• You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Billings, since the city's sales taxes in Billings are 100.00% lower than in Chicago.
• State income taxes in Billings are 36.36% higher than in Chicago.

• Billings might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 93% less than Chicago.
• Getting around Billings without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Billings has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Chicago is ranked 9. 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 Chicago. Based on its score of 35 out of 100, Billings isn't as walkable as Chicago, which has a score of 77 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.
• You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Billings, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Chicago. While Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, Billings earned a 47. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Billings is higher than in Chicago, 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 35.19 in Chicago. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Billings than in Chicago, based on Billings's safety index of 50.37 versus 33.87 for Chicago. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Billings and Chicago is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

• Weather: June, September and August are the most pleasant months in Billings, while December and January are the least comfortable months.
• HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Montana moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Montana, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Billings Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

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.