Best Places to Live in Wyoming

Looking to move somewhere remote that’s completely removed from any hustle and bustle? Wyoming may be just the destination for you. It’s a state with lots of space, but not a whole lot of people. In fact, Wyoming has the smallest population of all states in the U.S., even though it’s one of our top ten biggest states.^1,2 To put that in perspective, even though Wyoming is over 300 times the size of New York City, its population is 14 times smaller than the Big Apple’s.^3,4  

If you’re considering a move to Wyoming, you’ll need to make sure you pick a city that fits your budget, personality and any other needs you and your family have. So, to give you a peek at some of your options, let’s take a look at seven of the best places in Wyoming to live.

The Best Places to Live in Wyoming

The best place for you and your family to live in Wyoming (or anywhere else for that matter) will depend on your individual situation and preferences. You may really like the idea of living on the prairie, or you may be the type who can’t survive without having a Target nearby. (And yes, Wyoming does have three of those.⁵) You may be looking for somewhere to raise a family or a great retirement destination.

As you go through this list, think about which cities are the best fit for you.

Cheyenne

First on our list is Wyoming’s capital city, Cheyenne. Home to a full-service airport and the Wyoming State Museum, Cheyenne is just north of the Colorado state line—meaning it’s very close to some incredible skiing and biking opportunities.

The cost of living in Cheyenne is 5% below the national average, and it’s just a two-hour drive from Denver.⁶ That means you’d be an afternoon car ride away from watching the Broncos, Nuggets or Rockies.

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Casper

Up next: Casper. Like Cheyenne, Casper is one of Wyoming’s biggest cities, with a population of almost 60,000. Casper is close to the center of Wyoming, which means you can drive pretty much anywhere in the state in just a few hours—or, if you want to take a super cool trip outside the state, Casper is just over four hours away from Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

With a cost of living that’s 8.6% below the national average, Casper is a great option for families who like the conveniences of a bigger city without the expenses, traffic and busyness of a metropolitan area.¹¹ (The only real traffic in Casper is caused by the occasional animal crossing the street.) It's also the home of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and the gorgeous Ayres Natural Bridge Park.

Riverton

Riverton is a very small city in central Wyoming with a population of less than 11,000 and very affordable housing.

See how much house you can afford with our free mortgage calculator!

Now, because Riverton is on the smaller side, there’s not a whole lot of economic activity and it’s not exactly bustling with career opportunities. So if you’re looking for a place to take the next step on the corporate ladder, Riverton’s probably not for you. But if you already have a job lined up in Riverton or a nearby area and you’re looking for somewhere with lots of peace and quiet, it could be a great fit.

Laramie

Next up on the list of best places to live in Wyoming is Laramie, home to the University of Wyoming. Since it’s the only four-year university in the state, football and basketball games at UW are a big deal—so be sure to get your seats early if you want to watch the Division I Cowboys in action.

Because Laramie is a college town, it’s full of unique stores and restaurants. Thanks to its youthful culture and decent cost of living, Laramie is a great place to live (if you can get past the occasional snowstorm during the winter).

Cody

As you might expect for a city named after Buffalo Bill Cody, this small town in northwest Wyoming has some cowboy flavor—complete with a dude rancher’s association and a rodeo. It’s a great home for outdoorsmen, with lots of fishing opportunities and plenty of other ways to enjoy nature.

But the best perk of living in Cody may be its short distance from Yellowstone National Park’s East Entrance—just 55 miles. That means folks living in Cody are a short car ride away from one of the most beautiful areas in the U.S.

Sheridan

Trivia time! Which Wyoming city is home to a great community college, has a low sales tax rate, and sits halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore? You guessed it: Sheridan! There aren’t a whole lot of people living in Sheridan, which has a population of just under 19,000, but a lot of those folks really enjoy their hometown.

And yes, Sheridan really is almost exactly halfway between those two national landmarks—a four-hour drive west will get you to Yellowstone, and a four-hour drive east into South Dakota will secure you a date with four former U.S. presidents.

Gillette

If you’re looking for a place to live that has a small-town feel but also boasts a Walmart and McDonald’s, then Gillette could be a great fit for you. Now, Gillette definitely isn’t for everyone, since it is a smaller city and it’s fairly isolated. But plenty of folks love living in this northeast Wyoming coal town because of its sweeping prairies, tight-knit community and nearby state parks.

Ready to Move to Wyoming?

If you’re ready to pack up and head west to the Cowboy State, your next steps are to get your move organized and work with a real estate agent.

Why? Because an agent will help you find the right house, walk you through the complicated paperwork, and keep things moving smoothly even if something goes wrong. They’ll also make sure you know how much house you can afford and plan for moving costs.

For a fast and easy way to find top-notch Wyoming agents, try our RamseyTrusted program. The agents we recommend will serve you with excellence and make sure you wind up in a home that’s a good fit for you and your family.

Connect with a RamseyTrusted agent today.

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