Moving from Evansville, IN to Fort Wayne, IN
Relocating between Evansville, IN and Fort Wayne, IN is a 292 mi drive — 5h 27m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
292 mi · 5h 27m by car · IN
Distance & route
| Route through | IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 69, US 33, SR 9 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Evansville | Fort Wayne | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.528 | 92.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.717 | 86.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.318 | 94.318 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.735 | 72.277 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.1% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Evansville +3.7%, Fort Wayne +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Evansville | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 33.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 39.5" |
Expect 8.2°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 33.6 in of snowfall annually at Fort Wayne.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EVANSVILLE MUSEUM, IN US, FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Evansville | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 266,235 |
| Median household income | $52,251 | $60,293 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.43 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.1% higher in Fort Wayne than Evansville.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Fort Wayne compared to Evansville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,385 in Fort Wayne vs $198,977 in Evansville — a 21.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Wayne compare to Evansville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA vs $41,930 in the Evansville MSA, on total employment of 221,290 and 152,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fort Wayne, IN from Evansville, IN?
The driving distance is 292 mi and the route typically takes 5h 27m via I 69 and US 33. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Evansville vs Fort Wayne?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,293 in Fort Wayne vs $52,251 in Evansville — a 15.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Evansville 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 292 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fort Wayne more expensive than Evansville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Wayne is 1.1% higher than Evansville (92.572 vs 91.528, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Evansville.
City profiles: Evansville, IN · Fort Wayne, IN.