Moving from St. Louis, MO to Fort Wayne, IN
Relocating between St. Louis, MO and Fort Wayne, IN is a 369 mi drive β 6h 59m 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.
369 mi Β· 6h 59m by car Β· MO β IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 69, US 40 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Fort Wayne | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 92.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 86.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 94.318 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 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
YoY change: St. Louis β, Fort Wayne +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 33.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 39.5" |
Expect 7.1Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 33.6 in of snowfall annually at Fort Wayne.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 266,235 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $60,293 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.43 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.6% higher in Fort Wayne than St. Louis.
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
Is Fort Wayne more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Wayne is 2.6% lower than St. Louis (92.572 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Fort Wayne?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,293 in Fort Wayne vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 9.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fort Wayne, IN from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 369 mi and the route typically takes 6h 59m via I 70 and I 69. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Wayne compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 221,290 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis 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 369 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Fort Wayne, IN.