Moving from Overland Park, KS to Fort Wayne, IN
Relocating 622 mi from Overland Park to Fort Wayne is a 11h 49m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
622 mi · 11h 49m by car · IN → IL → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | IN → IL → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 69, US 33 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.543 vs 92.572 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $482,295 to $242,385 moving to Fort Wayne.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Fort Wayne +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 33.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 39.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Overland Park (55.1°F) and Fort Wayne (50.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fort Wayne averages 33.6 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: OLATHE 3E, KS US, FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 266,235 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $60,293 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.43 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.0% — $103,838 → $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 Kansas 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 — 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 — 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 does household income compare in Overland Park vs Fort Wayne?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,293 in Fort Wayne vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 41.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fort Wayne, IN from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 622 mi and the route typically takes 11h 49m via I 70 and I 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Wayne compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park 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.
How much do homes cost in Fort Wayne compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,385 in Fort Wayne vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 49.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Fort Wayne?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Fort Wayne vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (4.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 33.6 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 40.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park 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 622 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Fort Wayne, IN.