10 Best Places to Live in Wyoming in 2024
Do not take seriously those who claim Wyoming is a vast boredom with nothing but two or three public escalators. Wyoming is among a handful of states where one can walk in the footprints of the pioneers; seeing what they saw, and probably touching what they touched. Rural? Yes. But that comes with peace, serenity, and a dose of self-discovery. Plus, the vast sea of prairie is surreal and otherworldly — anything but boring. While it can be windy, the upside is that the state is safe. According to a Safewise report, Wyomingites feel safer in their state than any other group of Americans.
Plus, its landscape is diverse, from forest-covered mountains to high desert plains. If seeking to live in the least populated state in the contiguous United States, discover the 10 best places to live in Wyoming in 2024.
Laramie
Once a haven of Wild West outlaws, Laramie is today safe, visually stunning, and filled with nice, outgoing residents. Living here comes with being close to the University of Wyoming, the state's only public university. Finance company Credit Summit ranked Laramie’s premier academic institution as the fifth cheapest in the United States. University of Wyoming's tuition is just $6,938, which is quite affordable, especially compared to the national average of $11,560. And with WyoTech in town, a trade school known for its focus on the automotive and diesel industry, this town’s educational appeal is almost unmatched.
Residents love how Laramie is both walkable and bikeable and brims with green spaces. While the grassy Undine Park is right in town, the trail-laden Curt Gowdy State Pak is in the backyard and offers a peak fishing experience. The Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site is a fantastic place to experience the past and the Wild West. For those looking to buy, Laramie’s median listing home price is $445,000.
Sheridan
Because it is the second safest city in Wyoming (according to Safewise for 2024) — after Jackson — Sheridan is an excellent choice for families. But set in the spellbinding backdrop of the Bighorn Mountains, Sheridan is not just a safe place to live. It is also quaint, rustic, and incredibly pretty. The walkable downtown area presents a world of adventure and includes unique shops, boutiques, and classy eateries. The free-to-visit King’s Saddlery, for instance, houses lots of antique firearms and saddles. Sheridan College, which in 2020 was ranked the fifth-best Community College in the United States by WalletHub.
Plus, according to rankings by US News & World Report, Big Horn High School is the second-best high school in the state — while Sheridan High School — another feature of the town, is the fifth-best. Goose Creek runs through town and imbues it with a lovely and rustic ambiance. Moreover, Whitney Commons Park is a great place for a walk. Residents enjoy soaking themselves in its splash pad whenever it's hot and balmy. Sheridan’s median listing home price is $550,000.
Buffalo
While small and boasting a population of only 4,400, Buffalo is a 30-minute drive from Sheridan. Residents, therefore, can access amenities, including groceries and other shopping items, in minutes. But Buffalo’s size also ensures it provides residents with an authentic, intimate experience. Because residents live at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, outdoor opportunities abound. The 18-hole Buffalo Golf Course drips beauty in every direction and is a lovely place to tee away an afternoon. Also, hiking William J. Mentock Trail, which features waterfront views of Clear Creek, can be an occasional delight.
And for those who love road-tripping, US Highway 16 is known for its heart-in-the-mouth experience. Since neighbors are often friendly here, art galleries abound (such as Potters' Depot), and restaurants such as Cattleguard Steakhouse have mouthwatering delicacies, Buffalo earns its stripe among the best places to live in Wyoming. Finally, while homes here are listed for a median price of $546,400, they are sold for a much more affordable median price of $302,500.
Cheyenne
Cheyenne is the capital and largest city in Wyoming. But do not think you will be suffocated by a 1 million + population. Cheyenne is a world apart from Chicago — or most state capitals. Boasting a population of just about 64,000, one can almost call Cheyenne a small town and should expect to enjoy some elbow room. Families will appreciate living close to Poder Academy, ranked the best in Wyoming Elementary Schools. Cheyenne scores big on museums. Residents enjoy sites such as the Cheyenne Depot Museum, which houses the last remaining grand railroad station on the transcontinental route.
But Wyoming State Museum, which features interesting information about the frontier days — and Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, with its antique, horse-drawn carriages — are just as good. A popular festival in town, Cheyenne Frontier Days, bills itself as the "World's Largest Outdoor Rodeo.” There is much to keep one engaged. Homes in Cheyenne are listed for a median price of $430,000. For a capital, this price is a steal.
Powell
If the best life is one lived quietly and peacefully — then Powell, mostly known for its association with the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, is among the best places to live. The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, where the Japanese were confined in the wake of Pearl Harbor, provides quite an emotional experience. Sunny faces welcome residents here, who often promptly fall in love with the heart-melting views of the Beartooth Mountains.
Northwest College, known for its health and medical preparatory programs, is among Powell’s draws. On days a resident does not feel like cooking, restaurants such as the family-operated El Tapatío Mexican Restaurant will come in handy. Homes in Powell are listed for a median price of $499,000.
Alpine
Alpine is not just a simple place with great beer — there is more to it. To get a snapshot of its outdoor promise, Alpine is sandwiched between two national forests: the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Caribou Targhee National Forest. The former is known for its grizzly bears; the latter for its spellbinding scenery. Also, Palisades Reservoir, the confluence of the Snake, Greys, and Salt Rivers — provides a world of outdoor fun, including top-notch floating opportunities.
Broulim's meets the shopping needs of residents — while the town of Jackson — just 37 miles away — offers even more amenities. However, to access what Alpine offers, one will have to shore up their savings. Alpine’s median listing price is a chest-dropping $1.2 million.
Lander
If one does not fall in love with the architecture of Lander Library — one will with its great collection of books. One of life’s most rewarding pleasures — many will agree — is a good book. Located close to the foothills of the Wind River Range, Lander brims with outdoor adventure opportunities. Sinks Canyon, where the Middle Popo Agie River dramatically disappears into a limestone — and the park that encircles it — are some of the town’s best-loved landmarks. Wyoming Catholic College, the only one of its kind in the state, gives the town an air of intellectualism. Still, Academy of the Winds, a Montessori school offering preschool through fourth grade, will be of interest to families.
If worried about amenities, Riverton, which is among the biggest towns in the state, is just a 20-minute drive. Homes in Lander are listed for a median price of $375,000.
Worland
Framed by the Bighorn Mountains and with a community that is quite involved, Worland makes living a delightful pleasure; not a frustrating ordeal. Boasting a population of just under 5,000, expect an authentic and intimate experience here — and to get on a first-name basis with neighbors. Magical sunsets, wide-open skies, and wildlife (including cows), are other features a resident will love about Worland.
Blair's Supermarket meets the grocery needs of residents — while Washakie Medical Center meets their medical needs. To enter nature’s warm embrace, the surreal Gooseberry Badlands Scenic Overlook & Trail is the go-to venue. But this is the best part of living here: Homes are listed for a median price of just $249,000.
Casper
Boasting a population of about 58,000, a Texan or Californian will not believe Casper is the second-largest town in Wyoming. One reason Casper is among the best places to live in Wyoming is that it hosts Casper College, one of the largest community colleges in the region — and one of the most affordable in the country. Hogadon Basin Ski Area, set atop the awe-inspiring Casper Mountain, is a cross-country skier’s dream. On the flip side, the North Platte River, central Wyoming’s crowning jewel, meanders through town and offers a delightful menu of outdoor opportunities.
While the town brims with medical facilities, Summit Medical Center, a three-time, back-to-back recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, boasts the highest recommendation rate. Finally, where else can one buy a home in the second-largest city in a state — any state — for just $340,000, the median listing price of homes in Casper?
Thermopolis
Although Thermopolis is tiny and boasts a population of just about 2,700, it is less than an hour from Riverton — and even closer to Worland. Hot Springs State Park, which houses the State Bath House, where residents can soak at no cost, is among the most sought-after attractions of Thermopolis. The town was named for this popular nature lovers’ retreat. Quiet and laid-back, this town is ideal for those who want to move at a slower, steadier pace. Storyteller and Jackrabbit Java serve what many consider one of the best lattes in the region and will soon prove addictive.
Plus, for a resident’s shopping needs, Mack's Market often comes in handy. On the medical front, the highly-rated Hot Springs Health is at your doorstep. And because homes in Thermopolis are listed for a median price of $294,300, one does not need to deplete their savings.
One of the least populated? Yes. Largely rural? Yes. One of the least beautiful? No. The Thrillist, for instance, ranks Wyoming as the 10th-most beautiful state in the country. While Jackson Hole is a photographer’s dream, the Bighorns, the ghostly rocks of Vedauwoo, and the Wind River Range — are all in a class of their own. And while you can have a cow for a neighbor, human neighbors are also friendly, warm, and helpful. For the best spots to live, options abound, including Laramie, Sheridan, Buffalo, and Cheyenne, Wyoming’s capital city.
