Moving from Fort Wayne, IN to Colorado Springs, CO
It is 1190 mi between Fort Wayne and Colorado Springs — roughly 21h 50m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
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
| Fort Wayne | Colorado Springs | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.572 | 100.707 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.247 | 83.195 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.318 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.277 | 116.207 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 8.8% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $242,385 to $449,452 moving to Colorado Springs.
YoY change: Fort Wayne +2.4%, Colorado Springs -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Wayne | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.6" | 32.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Fort Wayne (50.9°F) and Colorado Springs (50.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US, COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Wayne | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 483,099 |
| Median household income | $60,293 | $83,198 |
| Median age | 35 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.44 |
Colorado Springs households earn about 8.8% more than Fort Wayne at the median — $60,293 → $83,198 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Colorado Springs MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,150 | $44,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,520 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 30,370 | $38,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 26,830 | $79,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,400 | $37,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Indiana and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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: Colorado Springs averages 32.5 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fort Wayne to Colorado Springs?
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.
Is Colorado Springs more expensive than Fort Wayne?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Colorado Springs is 8.8% higher than Fort Wayne (100.707 vs 92.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Fort Wayne, IN?
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 much do homes cost in Colorado Springs compared to Fort Wayne?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $449,452 in Colorado Springs vs $242,385 in Fort Wayne — a 85.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Wayne vs Colorado Springs?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $60,293 in Fort Wayne — a 38.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Colorado Springs compare to Fort Wayne?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA vs $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA, on total employment of 310,390 and 221,290 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Fort Wayne and Colorado Springs?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.5°F in Colorado Springs vs 50.9°F in Fort Wayne (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.5 in vs 33.6 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 39.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Wayne.
City profiles: Fort Wayne, IN · Colorado Springs, CO.