Firstly why Billings, Montana?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Billings
• State: Montana
• Population: 117,116 people
• Billings’s quick summary would be The largest city in Montana, known for its proximity to Yellowstone National Park and the historic Moss Mansion.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 5,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 3,000 annually
• Net Migration: 2000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 300
• Number of Homeless people: 200

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers a growing economy and access to outdoor recreation attracting families

Perk #1: Billings Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 36%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 66%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Native American
• The median income is (and growing)  $55,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Billings is $53,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-2000 in negative cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Billings’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 90 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,567
• Property Tax %: 1.16%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,160
• Rent for an average house: $1,700
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Heights
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Billings, Lockwood, Laurel, Billings-Heights, and probably could include Huntley
• Avg. Age of Homes in Billings: 50 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Billings’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Billings are  Healthcare, Retail, and Energy
• Billings Job Scene: healthy job market centered on healthcare and agriculture
• The General Tech Scene: modest tech presence focused on healthcare and agriculture , ,
• Billings Resident’s pay $1,100 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Billings: 9%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 100 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 5

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Billings

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $90 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-90 runs through Billings linking eastern and western Montana
• Commute Time: 20 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic congestion on I-90
• Transportation Score: 30 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Billings: 48,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.4
• No. of Car Washes: 5 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Billings: dojmt.gov/motor-vehicle/
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 56 of 100
• Local Airport: Billings Logan International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Billings’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
• General Weather in Billings is best described as has cold winters and warm summers with low precipitation and wide temperature variations
• Winter Weather in Billings i’d describe as cold with snow
• Spring Weather in Billings can be described as cool with some rain
• Summer’s in Billings are mostly warm and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Billings is usually cool with sunny days
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 0 days in summer
• Days in a row in Billings below Freezing: 90
• Average Annual Rainfall: 14 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality due to low pollution levels
• Billings Winter Air generally good air quality with limited urban influence

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Billings Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Billings 1
• While the number of trade schools inside Billingss’s city limits are 1
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Billings Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Billings Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Billings only Doctors is about 30
• Local Hospitals here is  4
• Full-time Billings only Police Officers is about 140
• Crime Rate Index: 20/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Billings’s Monthly utility bill average is $90
• Billings’s Monthly Gym Membership: $40
• Billings’s Water Quality Score: 75

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Billings

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 4 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: lively city known for its outdoor recreation and arts scene
• You might enjoy live music events at the Alberta Bair Theater
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Billings  features a vibrant nightlife with local breweries bars and music venues for an engaging social experience

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Billings

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes a mix of casual dining and local eateries
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 20 scattered around Billings
• The Popular Sports Team is Billings Mustangs
• Top Level Political Climate in Billings can be described as politically mixed city with agricultural and community influences
• Billings’s Longer standing religious establishment is Faith Chapel

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Billings Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Billings has 25 Parks?
• Billings Metro Park is Billings’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Billings Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-2pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and outdoor festivals

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Billings Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Billings can be described as steady pace with a focus on outdoor activities and local culture
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Billings exploring parks hiking local trails fishing activities
• The Cities people commute to from Billings are Laurel 12 miles away Hardin 37 miles away Billings-Height 15 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Billings or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic congestion on I-90. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Billings’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Heights is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Billings are Laurel 12 miles away Hardin 37 miles away Billings-Height 15 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 20 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Billings has 90 days in a row below freezing and 0 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Billings people have an average (positive or negative) $-2000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   200 homeless people living in Billings. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general politically mixed city with agricultural and community influences could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Billings.

Retiree & Senior Life in Billings

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for property tax exemptions aiding low-income residents
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Springs
• Billings Senior Center offers recreational activities educational programs and meal services for seniors

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Billings, Montana?

If Billings, Montana ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Billings, Montana, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!