Moving from Fort Wayne, IN to Springfield, IL
Relocating between Fort Wayne, IN and Springfield, IL is a 296 mi drive β 6h 4m 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.
296 mi Β· 6h 4m by car Β· IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 24, I 72, I 74 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Wayne | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.572 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.247 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.318 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.277 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Wayne +2.4%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Wayne | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 40.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Wayne | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $60,293 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 35 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.24 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.2% higher in Springfield than Fort Wayne.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Indiana and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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 20β30% 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fort Wayne to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 296 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Fort Wayne?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 221,290 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than Fort Wayne?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 0.2% higher than Fort Wayne (92.745 vs 92.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Fort Wayne?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $242,385 in Fort Wayne β a 32.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Wayne vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $60,293 in Fort Wayne β a 8.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Springfield, IL from Fort Wayne, IN?
The driving distance is 296 mi and the route typically takes 6h 4m via US 24 and I 72. The trip crosses 2 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 Fort Wayne.
City profiles: Fort Wayne, IN Β· Springfield, IL.