Affordable Billings Storage Units

Moving and storage go hand in hand. Whether traveling across town or the country, moving is an exciting and fresh start. While Storage Rentals of America is here to help you with all your storage needs, we also want to help you get familiar with the area. That's why we put together this resource guide for Billings.

About Billings, MT.

In a sparsely populated and huge state, Billings is Montana's largest and most important city. With a population of 117,116 within city limits, 184,167 in the metropolitan area, and a full trade area of over 500,000 people, it represents over half of the state's population and a vast majority of its economy. Estimates claim that one out of every seven dollars spent in the state is in Billings.

Billings got its start thanks to the booming railroad network throughout the west and quickly became an important destination. Even after the railroad's importance decreased, Billings remained a vital cultural center and one of the biggest retail destinations in the region. Between 2000 and 2010, it saw a growth of nearly 60% in some sectors and avoided the economic turmoil of 2008 and the housing bust.

All of this exciting history makes Billings the center of the area and a popular destination for North Dakota and South Dakota residents. It is also a regular visiting area for oil workers and other residents, providing plenty of entertainment options that other areas of the state do not. All these benefits make Billings a fascinating place to live and a wonderful option for those relocating to Montana.

What to Do in Billings, MT.

Montana's natural beauty is unparalleled, and Billings is no different. While it is a major metropolitan area, it is not far from many outdoor destinations. If you love visiting parks, Yellowstone National Park is no more than 100 miles away. There are also options like Pictograph Cave and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Historical options like Boothill Cemetery and Black Otter Trail are also available.

However, downtown Montana is also home to places like MetraPark Arena, otherwise known as First Interstate Arena at MetraPark. This area is a popular concert and event destination, including ice shows, rodeos, motorsports, and sporting events. The Expo Center and The Montana Pavilion are other popular destinations that may work well for those who want a little fun.

Thankfully, Billings also has room for some culture through spots like the Art House Cinema and Pub, Babcock Theatre, Backyard Theatre, Billings Studio Theater, and Billings Symphony Orchestra with the Billings Youth Orchestra. You may see many of these events at the NOVA: Performing Arts Center. We didn't even have time to discuss the area's many breweries!

Working in Billings, MT.

Billings has a shockingly diverse economy including trade, distribution, warehousing, and much more. Tourism is a major economic option, as is retail and much more. Healthcare, refining, manufacturing, construction, natural gas, oil, coal, trucking, higher education, wholesaling, heavy equipment sales, and even metal fabrication contribute to Billings' economy and continuing growth.

Billings is also the home of many corporate headquarters. These include Kampgrounds of America, Stillwater Mining Company, and First Interstate Bank. As you can tell by these company names, diversity is the name of the game in Billings. It does a little bit of everything, which makes it a great option for those looking to upgrade their employment situation.

Billings, MT. Neighborhoods

Billings has ten different neighborhoods, the most expensive of which is West Shiloh. With a median price of $542,949, it is more expensive than 80.6% of all homes in Montana. Its rental prices are $1,719, which is more costly than nearly 90% of all the neighborhoods in the rest of the state.

There's a big drop in the median neighborhood of Rose Park, with median real estate prices of $388,618 for purchase and $1,547 for rent. That's lower than over 52% of the rest of Montana. Highlands, the least expensive region, costs $358,315 with a rental price of $1,144. That price is cheaper than about 55% of the rest of the state, making this a surprisingly affordable place to live.

Billings, MT. School District

Billings has five school districts that proudly serve its citizens. These include Billings Public Schools, District 3, Elder Grove School District, Independent School District, and Canyon Creek School District. Throughout these districts, there are 22 elementary schools, six middle schools, and three high schools. There are approximately 15,715 students and 1,850 full-time employees.

As for higher education, you have three options from which you can choose. These include the Montana State University Billings branch, which is part of the state's largest university system. You may also choose from private options, like Rocky Mountain College and Yellowstone Baptist College. The latter option provides a balanced Christian education alongside its higher-learning experience.

Moving to Billings, MT. Resource Guide

Moving to Billings should be fairly easy because the city has the same kind of modern amenities and services that you can find in any major city. For example, you can set up your gas, heating, electricity, garbage removal, recycling, and much more when you move. The city is also served by expansive fire and police services, as well as multiple cable and internet companies for your entertainment options.

Billings, MT. Housing

Billings is a unique city because its cost of living is surprisingly not incredibly higher than the state. You would think that the biggest city in the region would cost much more, but its cost of living index of 94.9 is just a little higher than Montana's 94 rating.

Amazingly, Billings housing cost median of $285,600 is Montana's $353,700! Expect lots of single- and multiple-family dwellings, apartments, and condominiums. Most homes in the area are rented, though there are many owner-controlled houses, too.