Montana is a net-gain state for domestic migration, recording 187 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves in 2023 — among the highest ratios in the Mountain West. That inflow, driven by remote workers and retirees arriving primarily from California, Washington, and Idaho, produced a population increase of 56,118 net migrants between April 2020 and July 2024. Growth has since cooled: between July 2023 and July 2024, net new residents numbered 5,931, down from 9,934 the prior year. The moving market reflects that moderation.
Most move volume in Montana concentrates along the I-90/I-94 corridor connecting Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, and the Idaho state line, and along I-15 linking Helena and Great Falls. Cross-city hauls between Billings and Missoula span roughly 345 miles, making many in-state moves functionally long-distance by national standards — a sharp contrast to denser eastern states where “local” means anything under 50 miles. Rural hauls across eastern Montana’s high plains can add significant drive time and fuel costs even before crossing a state line.
Montana eliminated the Public Service Commission’s specific “Class C” household goods mover license category in 2023. State-level mover regulation no longer exists in the traditional sense. For-hire carriers operating vehicles over 26,000 pounds gross weight must obtain a USDOT number for intrastate operations through the Montana Department of Transportation’s Motor Carrier Services Division. All moving companies must still register with the Montana Secretary of State’s Business Services Division. Interstate moves are regulated federally by the FMCSA regardless of state law.
Peak moving demand in Montana runs from late May through August. Winter conditions can shut down mountain passes along I-90 (including Lookout Pass and the Homestake Pass near Butte) and I-15 south of Butte with little notice, forcing route changes and schedule delays. Movers serving the Flathead Valley or northwest Montana face additional exposure to mountain weather through October. Residents planning moves between November and March should budget extra time and confirm carrier winter-route policies before booking.
Average hourly rates for professional movers in Montana run around $125-$128 per hour for a two-person crew. A local move typically costs between $488 and $1,490, depending on home size and hours worked.
Top-Rated Movers in Montana
Montana Muscle Movers
Address: Billings, MT (exact street address not publicly listed)
Website: https://www.montanamusclemovers.com
Montana Muscle Movers is a locally owned, full-service moving company based in Billings, operating since at least 2018 under owners Thomas and Tara Kirschenmann. The company handles residential moves ranging from single-room jobs to full-household relocations and has extended service to areas including Kalispell, Miles City, Laurel, Red Lodge, and Three Forks — giving it one of the wider geographic footprints among Billings-based independents. Customer reviews consistently cite fast load times, last-minute availability, and careful handling of furniture. Specialty item moves (heavy appliances, hot tubs) are also documented in customer feedback. The company does not publish long-distance interstate service prominently on its website; it is best suited for intrastate moves within the Billings region.
Montana Movers LLC
Address: 7070 Meadow Drive, Missoula, MT 59808
Website: https://missoulamtmovingservices.com
Montana Movers LLC is a Missoula-based operation with over 20 combined years of staff experience, covering residential, commercial, local, and long-distance moves throughout western Montana and beyond. The company explicitly lists service to Missoula, Butte, Bozeman, and Deer Lodge, and advertises long-distance capability to anywhere in the U.S. Specialty moves — piano, grandfather clock, gun safe — are called out directly on the site. Both packing/unpacking and full-service transport are offered. A second Bozeman-area contact number is listed on the site, indicating a multi-city operational presence in the I-90 corridor between Missoula and Bozeman.
Mesa Moving and Storage — Bozeman
Address: 95 E Griffin Dr, Bozeman, MT 59715
Website: https://mesamoving.com
Mesa Moving and Storage entered Montana in 2019 with acquisitions in Bozeman, Helena, and Whitefish, giving it three MT locations and the broadest statewide coverage of any company on this list. Mesa operates as the largest United Van Lines agent group in the Mountain West, connecting Montana customers to more than 500 moving partners for domestic and international relocations. Services from the Bozeman branch include local and long-distance residential moving, commercial and office relocation, climate-controlled storage (the company operates more than 526,000 square feet of storage across all locations), packing and unpacking, specialty crating, and military/corporate relocation management. Mesa has a documented track record of managing Fortune 500 corporate relocations and U.S. Military personal property moves, making it the strongest option for complex or employer-coordinated relocations in the Bozeman-Helena-Flathead Valley region.
Moving Companies in Montana: Common Questions
Is a moving company required to be licensed in Montana?
Montana eliminated its Class C household goods mover license category in 2023, removing the state-level licensing requirement that previously governed movers. Today, Montana does not require movers to hold a specific state moving license. Companies must register with the Montana Secretary of State’s Business Services Division to legally operate, and carriers using vehicles over 26,000 pounds gross weight must obtain a USDOT number through the Montana Department of Transportation. You can verify a company’s business registration at the Secretary of State’s website (biz.sosmt.gov) and check USDOT status at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
How much does a local move typically cost in Montana?
Professional movers in Montana charge approximately $125-$128 per hour for a two-person crew. For a standard local move of a smaller home or apartment, total costs generally fall between $488 and $1,490 depending on home size, hours worked, and whether packing services are added. Long-distance moves within the state covering 100-500 miles have been quoted in the $2,500-$4,500 range by multiple sources. Montana’s large geography means that many in-state moves between major cities — Billings to Missoula, for example — are priced closer to long-distance rates than what residents in smaller states would consider “local.”
How does Montana’s climate and geography affect moving costs and scheduling?
Montana’s mountain passes along I-90 and I-15 can close or restrict truck traffic with little warning from late October through April, forcing carriers to reroute or delay. Movers serving the Flathead Valley, Bozeman, or any destination west of the Continental Divide face additional weather risk compared to flatland eastern Montana hauls. Summer remains peak season and commands higher prices and reduced availability, particularly in fast-growing markets like Bozeman, Whitefish, and Missoula. Planning a move in April-May or September-October offers a middle ground — reduced peak pricing with lower winter weather risk than November through March.
How do I verify a mover is legitimate in Montana and protect myself from rogue operators?
Because Montana no longer requires a state-issued moving license, consumer due diligence is more important here than in heavily regulated states. Start by confirming the company is registered with the Montana Secretary of State (searchable at biz.sosmt.gov). For any mover doing interstate or long-distance work, look up their USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov to verify active authority and insurance. Check the company’s rating with the Montana Better Business Bureau and look for reviews on multiple platforms. Always obtain a written, itemized estimate before agreeing to a move, and be cautious of any company that demands large cash deposits upfront or refuses to provide a written quote.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in Montana?
If you have a dispute with a moving company operating within Montana, complaints can be filed with the Montana Department of Justice, Office of Consumer Protection (406-444-4500 or consumerprotection.mt.gov). For interstate moves — those crossing a state line — the FMCSA handles complaints at fmcsa.dot.gov/consumer. The FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database accepts filings from consumers who believe a carrier violated federal regulations, including overcharging, holding goods hostage, or delivering damaged property without a proper claims process. For in-state disputes involving contract or billing issues, Montana’s consumer protection office is the primary avenue.