Moving from Amarillo, TX to Fort Wayne, IN

A move from Amarillo, TX to Fort Wayne, IN covers 1122 mi and around 20h 10m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.

1122 mi Β· 20h 10m by car Β· IN β†’ IL β†’ MO β†’ OK β†’ TX

COL +0.8% Home values +17.2% Ξ” -6.0Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1122 mi
Drive time
20h 10m
States
5
Fuel (25 mpg)
45 gal
Route throughIN β†’ IL β†’ MO β†’ OK β†’ TX
Primary highwaysI 44, US 50, I 40
Major cities en routeSt Louis, Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

AmarilloFort WayneU.S. avg
All items (RPP)91.8292.572100.0
Rents83.47486.247100.0
Goods93.75794.318100.0
Services78.3872.277100.0

Fort Wayne and Amarillo are close on the overall BEA RPP (91.82 vs 92.572); rent and services often drive the real difference.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Amarillo β€” typical home
$206,787
Fort Wayne β€” typical home
$242,385
Amarillo β€” typical rent
$1,310/mo
Fort Wayne β€” typical rent
$1,189/mo

Zillow typical home value is 0.8% higher in Fort Wayne than Amarillo as of 2026-03.

YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Fort Wayne +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsAmarilloFort Wayne
Annual avg temperature57Β°F51Β°F
January avg low22Β°F18Β°F
July avg high92Β°F84Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”33.6"
Annual precipitationβ€”39.5"

Fort Wayne is 6.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (56.9Β°F vs 50.9Β°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Significant snow at the destination: Fort Wayne sees 33.6 in a year on NOAA normals β€” budget for winter gear and plowing.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023AmarilloFort Wayne
Population200,945266,235
Median household income$62,469$60,293
Median age3535
Bachelor's degree or higher17%19.4%
Avg household size2.562.43

Household income lines up β€” $62,469 vs $60,293 on ACS 5-year 2023.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Amarillo MSA β€” median wage
$39,900
Fort Wayne MSA β€” median wage
$44,600
Amarillo MSA β€” employment
120,310
Fort Wayne MSA β€” employment
221,290

Top occupations in Fort Wayne MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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

Texas income tax
no state income tax
Indiana income tax
3% top marginal

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 β€” 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

  • Winter gear first: Fort Wayne averages 33.6 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β€” 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

Is Fort Wayne more expensive than Amarillo?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Wayne is 0.8% higher than Amarillo (92.572 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How much do homes cost in Fort Wayne compared to Amarillo?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,385 in Fort Wayne vs $206,787 in Amarillo β€” a 17.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does the job market in Fort Wayne compare to Amarillo?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 221,290 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Fort Wayne?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,293 in Fort Wayne vs $62,469 in Amarillo β€” a 3.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How far is Fort Wayne, IN from Amarillo, TX?

The driving distance is 1122 mi and the route typically takes 20h 10m via I 44 and US 50. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

When is the best time to move from Amarillo 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 β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.

City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Fort Wayne, IN.

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