Are you looking for wide-open spaces, mountainous views, outdoor adventure, and small-town charm? Consider moving to the western state of Wyoming! The Cowboy State is underrated in the ranks of amazing places to live even though it’s home to most of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, colorful springs, and stunning views all around. Here are seven of the best places to live in Wyoming that you’ll definitely want to call home:
1. Cody
2. Cheyenne
3. Casper
4. Laramie
5. Rock Springs
6. Gillette
7. Sheridan
1. Cody
- Population: 10,130
- Median 1-bedroom rent: $1,075
- Median 2-bedroom rent: $1,250
If you’re looking to live in a slice of history, consider Cody as your new homestead. Named after the infamous William “Buffalo Bill” Cody, this town hosts an annual stampede event in his name, puts on historical reenactments of wild west shootouts at the Irma Hotel, and houses many local history museums. Plus, much of the architecture maintains its cowboy-days facade, making you feel like a real resident in an old west town. You can call Cody home when you rent a one-bedroom apartment for an average of $1,075 per month.
Cody is just a few hours’ drive to Yellowstone National Park, but even closer is Buffalo Bill State Park, where you can go boating, fishing, and kayaking in the reservoir or nearby river, as well as enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, and other recreational activities. You can also take advantage of Yellowstone Regional Airport that has non-stop flights to Denver, Salt Lake City, and other western cities where you’ll find more amazing adventuring opportunities.
2. Cheyenne
- Population: 66,266
- Median 1-bedroom rent: $885
- Median 2-bedroom rent: $1,100
Get a great mixture of urban and rural when you move to Wyoming’s capital, Cheyenne. This bustling city of over 60,000 people has a wonderful live entertainment and arts scene with galleries, the symphony, a historical theater, and a rodeo arena. For adventure-seekers, stay close to home and practice trick shots at Brimmer Skateboard Park, wander the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, or aim high at the Cheyenne Trap and Skeet Club.
The whole family will love living in Cheyenne with its children’s theater, fantastic local library system, an interactive children’s park, and multiple state parks with biking, hiking, fishing, and nearly any other outdoor activity you can think of. Rent a one-bedroom apartment in the capital city for $800 per month on average.
3. Casper
- Population: 59,782
- Median 1-bedroom rent: $713
- Median 2-bedroom rent: $960
Looking for the best views in Wyoming? Casper gives all the other towns a run for their money in this department. In addition, its golfing, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and rock climbing options are some of the best in the country. And you can stay busy during the colder, snowy months, too, with access to plenty of winter activities like snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, fat biking, and snowboarding.
It’s also a family-friendly city with great schools, interactive exhibits at the local museums, seasonal pop-ups like corn mazes in the autumn, and, of course, the rodeo. Become a member of this friendly community with a one-bedroom apartment that costs an average of $713 per month.
4. Laramie
- Population: 31,525
- Median 1-bedroom rent: $846
- Median 2-bedroom rent: $1,025
Head to Laramie where you can rent a one-bedroom apartment for $846 per month and be part of an up-and-coming neighborhood in the area. As the state’s only college town, Laramie is home to the University of Wyoming, which provides entertainment options like football and basketball games, a lively nightlife, and a growing arts scene complete with galleries, studios, and a beautiful mural tour around town.
Spend your days exploring downtown with its historical sites, architecture straight out of a Western, and smells of fresh bread from a bakery that’s been a staple of the community for over 100 years. Shop popular stores and local boutiques, go on hikes or bike rides, and hit a few balls at one of the golf courses. Then, wind down at night with a brewski at a local bar, a visit to the symphony, or line dancing at the saloon.
5. Rock Springs
- Population: 23,624
- Median 1-bedroom rent: $884
- Median 2-bedroom rent: $900
As one of Wyoming’s most diverse cities, Rock Springs is the place for entertainment, arts, culture, and delicious foods. Have your pick of Asian, Italian, Western-inspired American, and many other cuisines. Enjoy concerts in the park, explore the history of the area at one of the many museums, and check out the regular events, like the county fair, a blues music festival, and Flaming Gorge Days, which celebrate the cultural diversity of the area with food, music, beer, and plenty of fun.
You can get a one-bedroom place in Rock Springs for $884 per month and join this tight-knit and lively community.
6. Gillette
- Population: 34,267
- Median 1-bedroom rent: $960
- Median 2-bedroom rent: $975
Known as the “Energy Capital” of the U.S., Gillette has booming businesses that fuel its economy and support the amazingly fun community in the city. Its amenities are more on the rugged side, perfect for adventure-seekers who love hunting, fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and exploring the great outdoors. Gillette also has an NHL-sized indoor ice rink, rodeo arenas, and a recreation center boasting an indoor running track, rock climbing wall, and tennis courts. And for the sports-lovers, you can head to Energy Capital Sports Complex and watch regional softball and baseball games. You can get a one-bedroom apartment in Gillette for $960 per month, on average.
7. Sheridan
- Population: 18,995
- Median rent: $840
Sheridan is a welcoming community in Wyoming with access to the best public schools in the state and a gorgeous backdrop of the Big Horn Mountains. The city hosts many events, including regular farmers markets with fresh produce from local farmers and artisan goods from your neighbors, wine, beer, and food festivals, cultural ceremonies and celebrations, and a medieval tournament. You can also bask in the area’s arts and culture by visiting the art galleries, historical sites, museums, and two theaters.
For local adventuring, take advantage of the area’s ATV grounds, fishing and hunting locations, horseback riding ventures, and camping under the stars. And, being so close to the mountains, Sheridan also provides a lot of snow-filled fun, including snowmobile-riding, cross-country skiing during the day, and a guided Nordic ski tour at night. You can expect to pay a median rent of $840 per month in Sheridan.
Frequently asked questions about living in Wyoming
The state of Wyoming is the 10th largest in the US by area, but also the least densely populated. As of 2021 there are 578,803 people living in the state of Wyoming.
The average annually salary in Wyoming is $82,000 as of 2022.
Wyoming does not have an individual income tax, making the state very appealing to residents. There is however a 4% state sales tax.
Wyoming is popular for its stunning natural beauty, wide-open spaces, low population density, and strong sense of community. The state offers a high quality of life, abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, a relatively low cost of living, and a strong job market in certain sectors.
Wyoming’s economy is diverse, with significant industries including energy (coal, oil, and gas), tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. The state is known for its strong job market in sectors such as energy production, healthcare, education, government, and hospitality. The energy sector, in particular, provides employment opportunities in mining, drilling, and related services.
Wyoming has a semi-arid continental climate. Summers are generally warm and dry, with cooler temperatures in the mountains. Winters can be cold and snowy, particularly in higher elevations. It’s important to be prepared for seasonal changes and extreme weather conditions in certain areas.
Wyoming is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The state offers a wealth of recreational activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. National parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton provide breathtaking landscapes and opportunities for exploration.
Ready to call one of these Wyoming towns home? Browse thousands of apartments for rent on Zumper and find your next home.
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