Moving from Waco, TX to Fort Wayne, IN
Relocating 1122 mi from Waco to Fort Wayne is a 20h 1m 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.
1122 mi · 20h 1m by car · IN → IL → MO → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IN → IL → MO → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney, Allen, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Fort Wayne | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 92.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 86.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 94.318 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 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
0.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Fort Wayne +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 33.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 39.5" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.7°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 33.6 in of snowfall annually at Fort Wayne.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 266,235 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $60,293 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.43 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% higher in Fort Wayne than Waco.
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 Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Fort Wayne averages 33.6 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.7°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 1122 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fort Wayne compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,385 in Fort Wayne vs $194,245 in Waco — a 24.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Wayne compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 221,290 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Fort Wayne?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,293 in Fort Wayne vs $51,468 in Waco — a 17.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Fort Wayne?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Fort Wayne vs 66.6°F in Waco (15.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 33.6 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 37.5 in.
How far is Fort Wayne, IN from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1122 mi and the route typically takes 20h 1m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Fort Wayne, IN.