The best places to live in Wyoming are known for their cowboys and cowgirls, the proximity to mountains around Jackson, and being close to the world’s largest rodeo in Cheyenne.
In other words, the best places in Wyoming offer the best of Wyoming.
But how did we determine the best places to live in Wyoming? We consulted the latest Census data on cost of living, median income, and safety, for places with 2,000 or more residents.
We discovered that Wyoming has every type of city for every person. Big Wyoming has hip millennial cities like Laramie, cowboy/cowgirl cities like Casper, and mountain cities like Hoback are great places to find work, raise families, and plain enjoy life.
Now, grab a Wyoming Boilermaker and an elk burger in Gillette and read on for more details into the best places to live in Wyoming.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Methodology | Summary
What city is the best place to live in Wyoming for 2023? Jackson is the best place to live in Wyoming if you care about home values, low crime, and high quality of life.
It was challenging to narrow down 30 of Wyoming’s best places to live to just ten. Wyoming cities are known for their quirky Western culture, iconic rodeos, local flare, and farm-to-table restaurants.
Continue on for a full analysis of the best places to live in Wyoming.
For more reading, check out:
The 10 Best Places To Live In Wyoming For 2023
| Stat | Jackson | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,748 | 577,929 |
| Rank Last Year | 1 | – |
| Median Home Value | $921,100 | $338,887 |
| Median Income | $101,477 | $72,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 0.8% | 3.8% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0086 | 0.0186 |
More on Jackson: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Located at the south end of Grand Teton National Park, Jackson is a thriving town with an absolute abundance of recreational opportunities. There’s a museum dedicated to wildlife art, but if you’d prefer a closer, realer look at some regional animals, there’s also the National Elk Refuge. Nearby Jackson Hole hosts regular rodeos for anyone trying to immerse themselves in cowboy culture. Rendevous Mountain provides some of the toughest skiing in the country, but those just looking to relax within the city limits will find plenty to love at and around Jackson’s Town Square.
Before you move to Jackson, you should know that it topped both our list of Wyoming’s richest and most expensive cities, so make sure you’ve got a lucrative job lined up before making the move. A typical household in Jackson brings back $101,477/year, the highest median income in the state. And there are clearly enough opportunities to go around because Jackson ranks among the fastest growing places in Wyoming. Living in Wyoming most densely populated place, having low unemployment and poverty rates, and fantastic local schools are all reasons why people are willing to live with Jackson’s higher cost of living.
| Stat | Cody | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,081 | 577,929 |
| Rank Last Year | 4 | – |
| Median Home Value | $301,900 | $338,887 |
| Median Income | $67,764 | $72,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 3.8% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0111 | 0.0186 |
More on Cody: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
We move from the city where Buffalo Bill had an inn to the city that Buffalo Bill helped found, Cody. Known as the “Wild West way into Yellowstone,” Cody is just 50 miles from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park. If you’re looking for a shorter day-trip out in nature, there’s also Shoshone National Forest and Buffalo Bill State Park in the area. But if you want a blast from the past, head to Old Trail Town, an authentic frontier town with buildings from the 1890s.
Cody might have a rollicking, rough and tumble cowboy past, but today it’s quite safe. The unemployment rate ranks as the 9th lowest in Wyoming at 3.1%. The student-teacher ratio in Cody’s schools is a solid 12:1, and test scores are much higher than the statewide average. The median age in Cody is 44, making it the oldest city on this list. Hate the drive to and from work? Well, at an average of 10 minutes, folks in Cody enjoy the 2nd shortest commute time in Wyoming.
| Stat | Sheridan | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,807 | 577,929 |
| Rank Last Year | 2 | – |
| Median Home Value | $287,400 | $338,887 |
| Median Income | $57,667 | $72,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.8% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0193 | 0.0186 |
More on Sheridan: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Sheridan is a city of 18,807 in north-central Wyoming with a strong rodeo culture. Anyone with a cowboy fascination will go nuts for King’s Saddlery & Museum and their collection of Old West artifacts, and Buffalo Bill’s inn is still running in Sheridan to this day. The landscape around Sheridan is simply incredible, with stunning mountainscape views that would make an artist blush. Those who want a closer look and a bit of a workout will find all of the above at Bighorn National Park to the west of Sheridan.
For those moving with a family, know that Sheridan has excellent public schools that trounce the statewide average in test scores and graduation rates. GreatSchools gave the district an average score of 7.5, and two local high schools received College Success Awards. Unemployment in Sheridan is crazy low, and the poverty rate here is the 16th lowest in the state. Homes in Sheridan are the 6th most expensive in Wyoming, but rent is quite affordable at around $909/month.
| Stat | Worland | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,812 | 577,929 |
| Rank Last Year | 5 | – |
| Median Home Value | $178,700 | $338,887 |
| Median Income | $59,679 | $72,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.9% | 3.8% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0060 | 0.0186 |
More on Worland: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Worland, located in Washakie County, is a hidden gem known for its low cost of living and high quality of life. As the 4th best place to live in Wyoming, Worland offers a range of attractions and activities for residents to enjoy. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore nearby attractions such as the breathtaking Big Horn Mountains, where hiking, camping, and fishing are popular activities. For those seeking cultural experiences, Worland offers museums, art galleries, and community events that showcase the region’s rich history and vibrant arts scene.
The city’s central position within the state allows convenient access to other major destinations. Whether you’re craving a weekend getaway to Yellowstone National Park or exploring the natural wonders of Grand Teton National Park, Worland is an excellent starting point for unforgettable adventures.
One of the highlights of living in Worland is the affordability. With a median home price of $178,700 and a median rent of 672, housing options are accessible to individuals across various income levels.
| Stat | Cheyenne | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,795 | 577,929 |
| Rank Last Year | 11 | – |
| Median Home Value | $283,100 | $338,887 |
| Median Income | $74,989 | $72,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.8% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0392 | 0.0186 |
More on Cheyenne: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Cheyenne ranks as the 5th best place to live in Wyoming. Cheyenne is a northeastern suburb of Washington DC, about 7 miles from the city center — a great location for a great town.
Housing is 8th highest in the state, meaning that many people want to live here. And you can see that people are willing to pay for a piece of real estate as incomes are 9th highest in the state. Cheyenne is part of the Prince George’s County Public Schools, which ranks highly according to US News rankings of schools in Wyoming. Add to that a low crime rate and a perennial contender for the best place to live in Wyoming.
The David C. Driskell Community Park has a pool, various ball fields and courts, and a great playground. And Sugar Vault Desserts & Bakery has some of the best cinnamon buns you’ll ever have. There’s also plenty of shopping in town at the Shoppes at Art District.
| Stat | Lander | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,561 | 577,929 |
| Rank Last Year | 7 | – |
| Median Home Value | $285,700 | $338,887 |
| Median Income | $62,958 | $72,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0246 | 0.0186 |
More on Lander: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Located in Wind River Country in central Wyoming, Lander is our final stand-out city. Epic rock climbing, hiking, and fishing are all on offer at the city’s pride and joy, Sinks Canyon State Park. We just hope you like to party, because between Lander Brewfest, a celebration of local craft brewers, and Riverfest, dedicated to local artists and musicians, there’s never a dull moment in Lander. That’s part of why Lander is considered one of Wyoming’s best cities for singles.
Lander is a truly peaceful place; the city experienced exactly zero violent crimes in the last year of available data. Unemployment is sub-3%, the poverty rate is the 18th lowest in Wyoming, and schools are top-notch. If you want to give Lander a try, rent will set you back around $859/month, but if you want to settle down here for good, a typical home will cost around $285,700.
7. Star Valley Ranch
| Stat | Star Valley Ranch | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,231 | 577,929 |
| Rank Last Year | 3 | – |
| Median Home Value | $416,700 | $338,887 |
| Median Income | $92,250 | $72,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.2% | 3.8% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0114 | 0.0186 |
More on Star Valley Ranch: Real Estate
Star Valley Ranch is another great place to live in Wyoming about an hour south of Jackson, WY on the Idaho border. It’s a family friendly town with the Aspen Hills Golf Course for adults and Fox Run Park for the kids.
As a rural town of population 2,231, you have access to the beautiful outdoors all around you. There are plenty of hikes and fishing to be done in the surrounding area. There’s no traffic, so you won’t have to wait to get back to your family after a hard day’s work.
On the numbers side of things, Star Valley Ranch is part of the Lincoln County School District which offers your kids a solid education. There’s basically no crime in town and the city ranks 3rd for incomes and 2nd for home prices in the Equality State.
8. Bar Nunn
| Stat | Bar Nunn | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,945 | 577,929 |
| Rank Last Year | 6 | – |
| Median Home Value | $291,300 | $338,887 |
| Median Income | $104,028 | $72,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.8% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0334 | 0.0186 |
More on Bar Nunn: Real Estate
A northern suburb of Casper, Bar Nunn is the 8th best place to live in Wyoming. Being next to the big city comes with some perks, like having sweet museums nearby. There’s the Tate Geological Museum for those interested in gaining mammoth amounts of information, while the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is a must-visit for anyone who wants to learn how to avoid dying next time they play the Oregon Trail video game.
The median age in Bar Nunn is a young 33, so expect a lot of fresh ideas in this vibrant community. The poverty level in Bar Nunn is a measly 0.7%, the lowest in Wyoming. Bar Nunn’s median household income of $104,028/year ranks as the highest statewide. Which is good, when you’re paying the 5th highest price for a home anywhere in Wyoming.
9. Kemmerer
| Stat | Kemmerer | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,640 | 577,929 |
| Rank Last Year | 10 | – |
| Median Home Value | $166,600 | $338,887 |
| Median Income | $71,284 | $72,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.0% | 3.8% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0045 | 0.0186 |
More on Kemmerer: Crime | Real Estate
We begin our tour of the best places to live in Wyoming with Kemmerer, the hub of activity for southern Lincoln County. Known as “The Fossil Capital of the World,” Kemmerer has loads of opportunities for the aspiring archaeologist, or just chances to hike through dead dino land at Fossil Butte National Monument. Kemmerer even has a festival dedicated to fossils. If you want an event dedicated to livelier pursuits, Kemmerer also hosts the Oyster Ridge Music Festival, Wyoming’s largest free music festival.
With its dinosaurs galore, it’s no wonder that Kemmerer topped our list of the best cities for families in Wyoming. It also helps that the crime rate in Kemmerer is roughly 75% below the national average and ranks as the 2nd in Wyoming. The economy in Kemmerer is also rock-solid, with a sub-1% unemployment rate and the 25th lowest poverty rate in the state at 15.6%. And while the median household income in Kemmerer is the 11th highest in Wyoming at $71,284/year, you won’t find cheaper homes on this list than Kemmerer’s $166,600.
| Stat | Laramie | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,735 | 577,929 |
| Rank Last Year | 16 | – |
| Median Home Value | $274,800 | $338,887 |
| Median Income | $50,539 | $72,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.8% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0137 | 0.0186 |
More on Laramie: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Located about 50 miles west of Cheyenne, Laramie comes in as the 10th best place to live in the Cowboy State. Laramie is the youngest city to make this list, with a median age of 26. That’s because Laramie is the home of the University of Wyoming, which also explains why around half the population have a college degree and over 20% have a master’s degree, PhD, or professional degree. Laramie’s downtown is delightful mix of of sophisticated shops and restaurants alongside down-home dives that provides opportunities for endless exploration. Those more comfortable out of the big city lights will find the cure at nearby Medicine Bow National Forest.
Laramie’s dedication to education isn’t just about the university; the high school dropout rate in Laramie is the 2nd lowest in Wyoming. Laramie workers enjoy the perk of having the 8th shortest average commute time in the state at 13 minutes. And it’s unlikely you’ll get carjacked on your trip, because Laramie is one of Wyoming’s safest cities, with a crime rate 50% below the national average.
Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in Wyoming
Best Places To Live In Wyoming Size Requirement
Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in Wyoming, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Cheyenne, with a population of 64,795, against places with a population of 18?
We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.
So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:
- Cities — Populations over 2,000
- Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 2,000
- Small Towns — Populations below 1,000
This filter left 30 cities, 25 towns, and 75 small towns.
We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in Wyoming have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 2,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’
Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Wyoming
Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.
We ranked each place in Wyoming across a number of criteria from one to 30, with one being the best.
We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In Wyoming.”
The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:
- Median Home Values
- Median Income
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Unemployment Rate
- Commute Time
- Crime
- Education Levels
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Poverty rates
Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2023. This report is our tenth time ranking Wyoming’s best places to live.
If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Wyoming. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Jackson at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Summary: The Best Places In Wyoming
If you’re looking at areas in Wyoming with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.
Jackson made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Wyoming for 2023.
If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in Wyoming according to the data:
- Greybull (Pop. 2,145)
- Mills (Pop. 4,218)
- Riverton (Pop. 10,733)
For more Wyoming reading, check out:
- Cheapest Places To Live In Wyoming
- Most Dangerous Cities In Wyoming
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Wyoming
- Best Places To Retire In Wyoming
- Richest Cities In Wyoming
- Safest Places In Wyoming
- Worst Places To Live In Wyoming
Best Places To Live In Wyoming Table
| Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income | Rent | Crime Per Capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | 10,748 | 0.8% | $921,100 | $101,477 | $1,614 | 0.0086 |
| 2 | Cody | 10,081 | 3.1% | $301,900 | $67,764 | $964 | 0.0111 |
| 3 | Sheridan | 18,807 | 3.4% | $287,400 | $57,667 | $909 | 0.0193 |
| 4 | Worland | 4,812 | 1.9% | $178,700 | $59,679 | $672 | 0.0060 |
| 5 | Cheyenne | 64,795 | 3.4% | $283,100 | $74,989 | $993 | 0.0392 |
| 6 | Lander | 7,561 | 4.3% | $285,700 | $62,958 | $859 | 0.0246 |
| 7 | Star Valley Ranch | 2,231 | 1.2% | $416,700 | $92,250 | $1,629 | 0.0114 |
| 8 | Bar Nunn | 2,945 | 5.1% | $291,300 | $104,028 | $1,080 | 0.0334 |
| 9 | Kemmerer | 2,640 | 1.0% | $166,600 | $71,284 | $757 | 0.0045 |
| 10 | Laramie | 31,735 | 4.7% | $274,800 | $50,539 | $929 | 0.0137 |
| 11 | Green River | 11,772 | 6.1% | $244,600 | $83,497 | $923 | 0.0096 |
| 12 | Lovell | 2,178 | 2.9% | $192,400 | $58,229 | $744 | 0.0047 |
| 13 | Thermopolis | 2,722 | 0.9% | $173,600 | $66,591 | $793 | 0.0110 |
| 14 | Casper | 58,631 | 3.3% | $242,800 | $67,011 | $942 | 0.0304 |
| 15 | Afton | 2,303 | 6.3% | $296,300 | $52,273 | $724 | 0.0013 |
| 16 | Buffalo | 4,475 | 4.0% | $266,500 | $55,245 | $919 | 0.0105 |
| 17 | Gillette | 33,158 | 3.6% | $242,900 | $90,415 | $900 | 0.0223 |
| 18 | Newcastle | 3,380 | 2.7% | $178,900 | $71,597 | $743 | 0.0092 |
| 19 | Douglas | 6,356 | 4.5% | $231,200 | $79,322 | $877 | 0.0110 |
| 20 | Evanston | 11,801 | 4.2% | $198,000 | $70,825 | $726 | 0.0197 |
| 21 | Glenrock | 2,863 | 9.3% | $208,600 | $64,797 | $945 | 0.0073 |
| 22 | Torrington | 6,161 | 4.9% | $182,600 | $55,434 | $742 | 0.0239 |
| 23 | Powell | 6,460 | 6.4% | $238,900 | $62,899 | $797 | 0.0156 |
| 24 | Rock Springs | 23,361 | 5.4% | $243,100 | $75,863 | $925 | 0.0140 |
| 25 | Evansville | 2,755 | 5.4% | $236,300 | $76,646 | $797 | 0.0334 |
| 26 | Wheatland | 3,575 | 1.8% | $223,300 | $53,627 | $699 | 0.0241 |
| 27 | Rawlins | 8,287 | 7.1% | $204,300 | $70,054 | $805 | 0.0158 |
| 28 | Greybull | 2,145 | 12.1% | $154,400 | $64,000 | $769 | 0.0047 |
| 29 | Mills | 4,218 | 6.1% | $150,500 | $55,231 | $882 | 0.0187 |
| 30 | Riverton | 10,733 | 7.1% | $194,600 | $50,861 | $799 | 0.0398 |
