Moving from Fort Wayne, IN to Waco, TX
It is 1122 mi between Fort Wayne and Waco — roughly 20h 1m 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.
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
| Fort Wayne | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.572 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.247 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.318 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.277 | 83.531 | 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
Housing comes in 0.0% under Fort Wayne — $242,385 → $194,245 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Fort Wayne +2.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Wayne | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.6" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.7°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Wayne | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $60,293 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 35 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.68 |
Households in Waco earn about 0.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Indiana and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Waco average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fort Wayne vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $60,293 in Fort Wayne — a 14.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Fort Wayne, IN?
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.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Fort Wayne?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 221,290 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fort Wayne to Waco?
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.
What is the climate difference between Fort Wayne and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 50.9°F in Fort Wayne (15.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 33.6 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 39.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Fort Wayne?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $242,385 in Fort Wayne — a 19.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Wayne.
City profiles: Fort Wayne, IN · Waco, TX.