Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Fort Wayne, IN
Relocating 1190 mi from Colorado Springs to Fort Wayne is a 21h 50m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1190 mi · 21h 50m by car · CO → KS → MO → IL → IN
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → KS → MO → IL → IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 69 |
| Major cities en route | Topeka, Olathe, Overland Park, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Fort Wayne | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 92.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 86.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 94.318 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 72.277 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.1% moving from Colorado Springs to Fort Wayne — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $449,452 in Colorado Springs to $242,385 in Fort Wayne, a 8.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Fort Wayne +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 33.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 39.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.5°F vs 50.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Fort Wayne sees 33.6 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 266,235 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $60,293 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.43 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.1% — $83,198 → $60,293 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Wayne MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 26,110 | $44,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 25,400 | $40,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,710 | $37,780 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,890 | $35,030 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 19,190 | $28,570 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Fort Wayne averages 33.6 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Indiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Fort Wayne compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,385 in Fort Wayne vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 46.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Fort Wayne?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Fort Wayne vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 33.6 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 15.9 in.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs to Fort Wayne?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1190 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Wayne, IN from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 1190 mi and the route typically takes 21h 50m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Wayne compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 221,290 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fort Wayne more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Wayne is 8.1% lower than Colorado Springs (92.572 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Fort Wayne?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,293 in Fort Wayne vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 27.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Fort Wayne, IN.