Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Fort Wayne, IN
Relocating 603 mi from Lee's Summit to Fort Wayne is a 11h 26m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
603 mi Β· 11h 26m by car Β· IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 69, US 33 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Fort Wayne | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 92.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 86.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 94.318 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 72.277 | 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
0.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Fort Wayne +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 33.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 39.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 33.6 in of snowfall annually at Fort Wayne.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 266,235 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $60,293 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.43 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.0% β $104,989 β $60,293 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 Missouri 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 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.
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
How far is Fort Wayne, IN from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 603 mi and the route typically takes 11h 26m via I 70 and I 69. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fort Wayne compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,385 in Fort Wayne vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 37.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Fort Wayne?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 603 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Fort Wayne?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,293 in Fort Wayne vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 42.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Wayne compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 221,290 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lee's Summit.
City profiles: Lee's Summit, MO Β· Fort Wayne, IN.