15 HONEST Pros & Cons of Living in Wyoming (2024)

Article Overview: Living in Wyoming | Moving to Wyoming

Thinking about moving to Wyoming? As someone who has lived here for the better part of the past decade I can say there’s a lot to love.

I mean, who hasn’t fantasized about trying their hand at life in the true American west?

Wyoming is a massive state in terms of land (not population). Did you know Wyoming is the 10th largest state with over 62 million acres of land? Or that Wyoming is the least populated state in America (even less than Alaska!)?

I must say it isn’t all Tetons and geysers in the Equality State. There are some major downsides to consider before moving as living in Wyoming can be quite difficult, even if you’re prepared.

There are a lot of pros and cons of living in Wyoming you don’t realize until you’ve lived here for a while. And that’s where I come in.

Read on for the pros and cons of living in Wyoming. Please keep in mind this is my personal list based on first hand experience, not everyone will feel that same way (and that’s just fine in my book).

A Quick Word On Geography – Western Wyoming vs Eastern Wyoming

Wyoming is basically two different states in terms of geography and lifestyle. I’ve included images and brief descriptions below so that you can better understand the unique geography of the state.

Western Wyoming

The western half of Wyoming is mountainous (part of the Rocky Mountains). This part of Wyoming is the famous national park-filled, touristy part of the state.

Eastern Wyoming

The eastern half of Wyoming is high plains. This part of the state is windy, flatter (but with hills), grassy, empty, and (even more) sparsely populated.

In this article I’ll cover both halves and try to distinguish if a pro or con only applies to one part of the state or the other.

Pros & Cons of Living in Wyoming

Pros of Moving to Wyoming

1. Housing is inexpensive

Those interested in moving to Wyoming are likely to find home prices are considerably less expensive here than where you’re coming from. With a median home price of just $250K, Wyoming lands well below the national average.

Currently the median home price in the US is just above 430K which makes the average home in Wyoming nearly 50% less. Talk about a deal.

With owning a home becoming increasingly unattainable for Americans, Wyoming is still a place where you can make that dream a reality.

2. No state income tax

Here’s a pro of living in Wyoming everyone is bound to love.

One of the top reasons for moving to Wyoming for people these days is state’s tax system. Particularly the part regarding income taxes. Wyoming is one of only nine states that doesn’t have an income tax.

That’s right, there is no income tax in Wyoming which is a major selling point for everyone, especially remote workers.

3. Living in Wyoming is affordable

If affordability is an important factor for you then living in Wyoming just got a little easier. Wyoming has the 14th lowest cost of living in the US.

While inexpensive housing plays a large role in this it’s not the only factor driving living costs down. Wyoming has the 9th least expensive utility bills in the country including electricity, internet, gas, water, & streaming.

When you combine no state income tax with low housing costs and cheap utilities you get a great recipe for solid savings.

4. Wyoming is astonishingly beautiful

If having some beautiful scenery to look at is an important factor for you, then consider moving to Wyoming (western). Home to the world famous UNESCO world heritage site, Yellowstone National Park, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.

Ranked the 9th most beautiful state in the US (dragged down by the eastern half of the state), Wyoming is truly a beautiful place to live.

Most Beautiful Parts of Wyoming

Western Wyoming: The beauty is mostly concentrated in the western half of the state where the Rocky Mountains ascend into the heavens making for some dreamy outdoor trips.

Central Northern: The Bighorn Mountains located in the central, northern part of Wyoming are another must see destination featuring less traveled, rugged, and wild beauty.

Southeastern: The Medicine Bow-Route National Forest located in the southeastern part of the state has it’s own unique mountain scenery featuring high alpine lakes & forests stretching down into Colorado.

Northeastern: Where the plains meet the beginning of the South Dakota Black Hills the scenery changes dramatically with the famous Devils Tower National Monument & Black Hills National Forest.

5. Endless outdoor recreation

There are few places in America with greater outdoor recreation opportunities than those that exist here. Ranked 5th most outdoorsy state in the US, outdoor recreation is a top selling point for living in Wyoming.

A full 48% of Wyoming is federally owned public land meaning there’s 30 million acres to recreate on in Wyoming.

Just about any outdoor activity you can dream of exists here (at least in the western half of the state). Here you’ll find everything from the basics like running, hiking, & biking, to the more specialized like rock climbing, rafting, mountaineering, skiing, ATV driving, and so much more.

Wyoming is not only home to two of the most beautiful national parks in the world (Grand Teton & Yellowstone), but eight national forests (consisting of over nine million acres), two national monuments, and more.

6. Summers are wonderful

Summer in Wyoming is absolute bliss with warm to hot high temperatures and cool nights. All of the best parts (I’m not as much of a winter recreation person myself) are accessible during the summer.

Wildlife is out, folks are chipper, and living is easy. During summer there’s a massive influx of tourists which some folks don’t like but I don’t mind at all.

During June you can expect some pretty wild thunderstorms but for most of the summer the weather is really nice.

Perhaps its a byproduct of how trying the winters are here (more on that below), but people really appreciate summer time in Wyoming.

7. Wyoming is safe

With crime on the rise across the US, safety is a growing concern. If you’re thinking about moving to Wyoming then you’ll be glad to know it’s the 9th safest state in the country.

Violent crime is exceedingly rare in Wyoming (7th lowest in America) despite the prevalence of guns (seems like everyone has them).

Speaking from personal experience I’d say overall crime here is not really much a concern. Some folks I know chalk it up to rural living versus city living with more crimes being committed in cities of which Wyoming has few.

8. People are friendly

Howdy neighbor! Wyoming is the 5th friendliest state in the US so if you’re thinking of moving here bring the kind spirit the state has embraced over the years.

Walking down the streets of most of our towns in Wyoming a wave is customary and returning a wave is required. Having lived in Wyoming for some time I find it so strange and off putting when I visit somewhere else and the folks don’t wave to each other.

I’ve heard that making friends can be somewhat tough here as the pickings are slimmer than in most states (there just aren’t as many people here) but if you can’t make a new friend you’ll at least receive friendliness.

As someone who does film work for a living, I recall stumbling across a group of cowboys that had just finished a roundup on a national forest. Within minutes of introducing myself, I was cordially invited in to join them for a drink which I did and we ended up swapping stories for a hour or so.

Cons of Living in Wyoming

1. Winters are brutal

If summers here are wonderful, winters are the exact opposite (and then some). Winter in Wyoming is just brutal and one of the top reasons people leave the state (at least that I know).

If you’re thinking about moving to Wyoming then you have to visit during the winter to really understand what it’s like.

Ranked the 5th coldest state in the US, prepare for freezing temperatures from October through April in Wyoming with frequent driving winds (especially in the eastern half of the state), and lots of snow.

Driving conditions are often extremely dangerous in the winter with icy roads and a tragic amount of fatalities. Wyoming has the highest winter driving fatality rate in the country.

Not only are winters harsh but they are long, with snow storms frequently coming in as late as March and April. By March I often find myself relating to Jack Nicholson’s character in The Shining.

2. The wind makes living in Wyoming tough

The wind, really? Oh yeah. Wyoming is the windiest state in America, especially in winter with average wind speeds of nearly 13mph. And it feels constant.

And if the average wind speed is 13mph that’s just the beginning. We’ve got frequent gusts of over 50mph in Wyoming that are downright bone chilling.

Hats with ear protectors are a must here in winter to keep your ears from freezing off and you from losing your sanity.

Even in the warmer months there’s just something menacing about the wind that’s tough to put into words but is very real. Don’t get me wrong, I love a nice breeze, but the wind here is not your friend.

3. Small town life can be a tough adjustment

If you’re moving to Wyoming from a big (or even mid-size) city then it may be a bit of a tough adjustment depending on your lifestyle.

Grocery stores here are notoriously lacking in both variety and quality. Oh how I miss Trader Joe’s (there are none in Wyoming), Costco (none in Wyoming), and Whole Foods (there’s only one in the state located in Jackson).

For that matter, stores in general are limited with most cities in Wyoming not being big enough for the stores you might be accustomed to in larger cities.

If you’re moving to one of the towns in Wyoming be prepared for all of the trappings that come with it like gossip (everyone knows everyone), spells of boredom (entertainment is limited), limited social circle, and long drives.

4. Get ready for some long drives living in Wyoming

Loathe long drives? Living in Wyoming might not be for you. It seems like getting to just about everyone and everything requires a lengthy drive.

Depending on where you live in Wyoming will dictate just how long these drives are. If you live in a more rural area then drive times to town are going to be significant.

Even if you live in a city or a town, your town may not have what you need requiring a drive to the next town which could be hours.

I know a lot of folks who live in the southern half of the state that drive hours to Colorado and Salt Lake City to do shopping on a monthly basis.

5. Wyoming lacks diversity

If diversity is important to you then moving to Wyoming may not be the right fit.

Wyoming is the 7th least diverse state in America with 81% of the population being white. The next highest demographic is Hispanic or Latino at 10%.

6. If honesty is the best policy…

No easy way of putting this but Wyoming was recently ranked the most dishonest state in America. I know a lot of good, honest folks here but apparently there’s enough of us Wyomingites that are, well, less than truthful let’s say.

The study factored in things like google searches for “tips on lying” & “how to bluff”, the divorce rate (5th highest in the country), and integrity score.

Maybe we just have a lot of great poker players here?

7. The isolation of living in Wyoming

The isolation of Wyoming is a love / hate relationship. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life is a big reason folks move here. But after a while it can grate at you.

Wyoming is often romanticized as the last western frontier where bison & cowboys still roam. This romanticism hits some folks who move to Wyoming like a ton of bricks when the moving truck pulls away and it’s just you and miles and miles of prairie or wild lands.

Living in Wyoming you really are out there as they say. If that’s a dream of yours I highly recommend spending at least a couple of weeks if not a month in the area that interests you to get a better understanding of what life is like here.

Things to Know Before Moving to Wyoming

Wyoming is the least populated state

With a population of just 578,803, Wyoming is the least populated state in America. There are less than 6 people per square mile in Wyoming.

Part of the reason for the low population is the fact that 48% of the state is federally owned public lands. Part of the reason is because so much of the land is so inhospitable for humans.

Wyoming is a solid right wing state

Depending on how important your neighbors politics are to you, this may or may not impact your decision in moving to Wyoming.

While Wyomingites take pride in being fiercely independent, the politics here are very right wing. Wyoming was ranked the 2nd most GOP friendly state in the US.

Wyoming is religious

Overall Wyoming falls closer to the middle of the pack for religious states with 54% of the population describing themselves as “highly religious”.

Slower pace of life

Wyomingites are hard working folks but move at a slower pace than what you might be used to coming from a bigger city.

Retiring in Wyoming FAQ

Is Wyoming a good place to live?

Yes, Wyoming is a good place to live for people looking for beautiful scenery (western), savings on income taxes, rural living, lower cost of living, and a slower pace of life.

Is Wyoming a good place to retire?

Based on the low cost of living Wyoming, beautiful natural scenery, and no income taxes Wyoming can be a good place to retire. However, the brutal winters in Wyoming have a lot of retirees looking to snowbird elsewhere.

Is marijuana legal in Wyoming?

No, marijuana is still illegal in Wyoming.

What’s the population of Wyoming?

The population of Wyoming is just 578,803, Wyoming is the least populated state in America. There are less than 6 people per square mile in Wyoming.

How many days of sunshine in Wyoming?

On average, there are 221 days of sunshine per year in Wyoming with 110 of them being sunny days.

Cost of Living in Wyoming

Wyoming has the 14th lowest cost of living in the US.

While inexpensive housing plays a large role in this it’s not the only factor driving living costs down. Wyoming has the 9th least expensive utility bills in the country including electricity, internet, gas, water, & streaming.

Map of Wyoming

Pros & Cons of Living in Wyoming (Summary)

1. Inexpensive housing
2. No state income tax
3. Low cost of living
4. Wyoming is beautiful
5. Endless outdoor recreation
6. Summer is bliss
7. Wyoming is safe
8. People are friendly
9. Winters are brutal
10. The wind is awful
11. Small town life
12. Long drives
13. Lacks diversity
14. High dishonesty & divorce
15. Isolation

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