best places to live in wyoming

The Best Places to Live in Wyoming

The best places to live in Wyoming immerse you in all the benefits of the Cowboy State.

With its expansive landscapes, swaths of dense sagebrush, soaring snow-capped peaks and endless skies, Wyoming calls those seeking tranquility and adventure in an undeniably scenic setting. Yet, beyond its natural splendors, Wyoming is full of towns and cities that exhibit their own unique tales and dreams.

If you’re on the quest to find the best place to live in Wyoming, remember, it’s not just about the picturesque views. Life in Wyoming is a symphony of life, culture and opportunity that marches to the beat of its own cowhide drum.

Cheyenne

Aerial view of Cheyenne, one of the best places to live in Wyoming, has a strong housing market and a good school system -- making it ideal for young families

  • Population: 65,051
  • Average age: 37.5
  • Median household income: $70,705

It’s no secret that Cheyenne is one of the best places in Wyoming to call home. Cheyenne is a locale that’s not just a dot on the map but a pulsating heart of the state. Its streets come alive with the promise of economic vigor, courtesy of its burgeoning tech sector and traditional industries like ranching and railroads. Yet, the essence of Cheyenne is not restricted to its economic promise alone.

The nearby Medicine Bow National Forest is an almost magical realm of tall pines and clear waters under the vast Wyoming skies. In the community itself, there is a strong sense of unity, where neighbors know one another by name and tradition is celebrated with fervor, whether it’s the jubilant Frontier Days rodeo or the soft melodies of a local band at a brewery. Indeed, life in Cheyenne is a shining example of what it means to be a part of Wyoming.

Laramie

Historic prison museum in Laramie, WY, a great place to call home for tight-knit community, natural beauty and local amenities aplenty.

  • Population: 31,659
  • Average age: 26.1
  • Median household income: $45,299

Laramie offers the intriguing juxtaposition of a wild and untamed frontier spirit with the modern and intellectual pulse of a city that houses the University of Wyoming. The university itself acts as a beacon of academic excellence, drawing scholars and dreamers from every corner along with their wildest ideas and loftiest aspirations. Laramie’s bustling streets resonate with youthful exuberance, punctuated by cool cafes, unique boutiques and innovative small businesses that promise a plethora of job opportunities.

Yet, Laramie is not merely defined by its academic prowess. Snow-capped peaks beckon adventurers to explore the alpine lakes and meandering trails, while the expansive plains play home to herds of bison. Community life in Laramie is a conglomeration of festive rodeos, harmonious music festivals and intimate gatherings that reflect the town’s intrinsic bond with its historical roots and its ever-evolving identity.

Jackson

Antler arch in gorgeous downtown Jackson, an amazing place to live in Wyoming, with wide open spaces and great restaurants alike.

  • Population: 10,849
  • Average age: 33.2
  • Median household income: $83,289

At the confluence of the Snake River Valley and the Teton Range, Jackson possesses that rare combination of rugged elegance and refined wilderness, making it easily one of the best places to live in Wyoming. Here, nature’s grandeur is not just a backdrop, it’s the very essence of existence. This is a place where elk herds roam with unbridled majesty and pristine lakes mirror the heavens. Job opportunities are as diverse as its landscape: from eco-tourism to world-class resorts, Jackson’s economy thrives on its symbiotic relationship with nature, merging sustainable practices with unparalleled luxury.

Jackson’s community is composed of artists, ranchers, nature enthusiasts, anglers, retirees and everyone in between. The town square, adorned with iconic antler arches, plays host to a ton of events throughout the year. Education is a beacon, with institutions emphasizing not only academic excellence but also fostering a profound respect for the environment. Life in Jackson is more than mere existence; it’s a profound communion with the land and an ode to Wyoming’s untamed spirit.

Casper

View of Casper, WY, from the sky on a cloudy day. This smaller town has a welcoming community and nearby mountain biking.

  • Population: 58,656
  • Average age: 36.9
  • Median household income: $61,657

In the vast expanse of central Wyoming, Casper unfurls along the North Platte River. Often heralded as one of the best places to live in Wyoming, Casper harmoniously melds the vigor of its frontier past with the dynamic energy of the present. Over time, the city has evolved into an epicenter of economic vitality: Oil and energy jobs entwine seamlessly with a robust healthcare industry, providing ample opportunities for its residents.

The looming Casper Mountain is a constant reminder of the raw beauty that frames everyday life here. The river, a rippling ribbon of blue, offers solace and adventure to anyone seeking it. Education in Casper is a priority, fostering inquisitive minds, while local festivals, art fairs and rodeos stitch together the fabric of a tight-knit society.

Sheridan

Scenic Sheridan, Wyoming, on a sunny day, what a great place to call home for the small population who lives here

  • Population: 19,095
  • Average age: 38.8
  • Median household income: $59,380

Sheridan is a place where nature’s wonders and human endeavors entwine in a poetic rhythm. Undoubtedly among the best places to live in Wyoming, Sheridan unfailingly mesmerizes with its historic downtown, a true relic of the old frontier days. The heartbeat of its economy pulses with a diverse range of opportunities, from agriculture and manufacturing to a flourishing arts scene, drawing the inspired and the industrious alike.

The community here thrives on connection, with local events, rodeos and theater performances knitting together a common thread of shared experiences. Education in Sheridan is not just about classrooms, it’s a holistic embrace of culture, history and environmental stewardship. In Sheridan, life unfolds not just in days and years, but in the shared stories, the resonating laughter at local gatherings and in the silent communion with nature’s magnificence.

Gillette

Highway sign to Gillette, WY, a great place to live out in the old west of wyoming

  • Population: 32,884
  • Average age: 31.5
  • Median household income: $83,193

Often referred to as the ‘Energy Capital of the Nation’, Gillette is undoubtedly among the best places to live in Wyoming. Coal mines, oil fields and wind farms delineate its horizon, making Gillette a nexus of economic vitality and opportunity. Yet, it’s not merely its energy resources that define Gillette, it’s the relentless spirit of its residents who have melded the vigor of the land with the aspirations of a community, crafting an enviable blend of job prospects in traditional and emerging industries.

The embrace of the surrounding prairies offers Gillette residents a tranquil respite from hard work. Schools here are more than just institutions; they are crucibles of learning and innovation, preparing the youth for the reality of a world that’s both local and global.

Cody

Wild horses grazing in Cody, one of the best places in the entire state of Wyoming to live if you want small town charm and an extremely affordable place to live in wyoming

  • Population: 10,174
  • Average age: 40.4
  • Median household income: $59,682

Named after its iconic founder, Buffalo Bill Cody, Cody is easily one of the best places to live in Wyoming. Cody thrives as a gateway to unparalleled natural wonders, with Yellowstone National Park’s eastern entrance serving as a portal to a realm where geysers breathe and bison roam. Job opportunities here transcend traditional, with tourism, agriculture and a growing entrepreneurial spirit defining its economic landscape.

Yet, Cody’s essence lies not just in its scenic splendor or economic vibrancy but in its community’s heartbeat. Schools, infused with a spirit of the West, offer education that melds academic excellence with a deep-rooted understanding of the land and its stories. Events like the nightly rodeo in summer months or the reverberating notes of local music festivals are testaments to a culture that values tradition and innovation equally.

Rock Springs

Aerial view of the whole town of Rock Springs, one of the best places to live in Wyoming

  • Population: 23,196
  • Average age: 34.1
  • Median household income: $74,548

Rock Springs has an enviable spirit of tenacity and determination, easily securing its position among the best places to live in Wyoming. It’s a town supported for decades by the coal mining industry, and its veins of prosperity run deep, branching out into industries like energy, healthcare and eco-tourism.

But to understand Rock Springs is to embrace its vast surroundings. The nearby Flaming Gorge invites outdoorsy types with its sapphire waters and scarlet canyons. Community life is punctuated with events celebrating this unique blend of history and contemporary living, from local festivals to rotating art exhibitions, life in Rock Springs is anything but dull.

Green River

Old school gas station in Green River, a great place to live in Wyoming

  • Population: 11,609
  • Average age: 37.9
  • Median household income: $82,173

Green River stands not just as a geological marvel, but as a testament to human perseverance and adaptability, making it undeniably one of the best places to live in Wyoming. Its origins are strongly connected to the railroad industry and the pioneering spirit. Since then, the town has evolved, now bearing the dual mantle of being a hub for the trona mining industry and a beacon for outdoor enthusiasts.

Yet, beyond its economic vitality, Green River’s soul is etched in its landscapes and communities. The nearby Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the massive high desert beckon with promises of adventures, from tranquil fishing expeditions to the thrill of white-water rafting.

Powell

Snowy day in Powell, one of the best places to live in WY

  • Population: 6,418
  • Average age: 34.3
  • Median household income: $60,210

An agricultural sweet spot, Powell pulses with the rhythm of the seasons, where fields of barley and sugar beets stretch out like a hand-stitched quilt under the sky. Among the best places to live in Wyoming, Powell effortlessly marries the traditions of farming with modern progress, offering its residents more than a few job opportunities that span from agriculture to technology to education to healthcare and more.

But it’s not merely its economic prospects that set Powell apart; it’s the intertwining of life’s simpler pleasures with the grandeur of its surroundings. The nearby Yellowstone National Park acts as a constant reminder of nature’s magnificence, calling residents and visitors alike into its wild embrace. The town’s educational institutions, most notably Northwest College, serve as cultural epicenters, fostering a spirit of community and lifelong learning. Events like the Park County Fair or the local farmers’ markets anchor Powell’s ethos of community and connection.

Make the move to Wyoming today

As the sun dips below the vast horizons of the Equality State, it becomes clear that the true beauty of Wyoming isn’t just in its nature, but in its people and the communities they’ve built.

From bustling hubs of innovation to tranquil enclaves, the best places to live in Wyoming offer a harmonious blend of old-world charm and contemporary dynamism. For those seeking a life interwoven with nature, tradition and progress, Wyoming’s top towns stand as an unmatched invitation to enjoy life in the American West to the fullest.

Ready to find the perfect place in Wyoming? Take a look at our available apartments today.

Rent prices are based on an average from Rent.’s available rental property inventory as of July 2023. The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.

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