7 Most Affordable Towns to Retire in Wyoming
Yes, it can be windy here. According to the Global Wind Atlas, Wyoming is the windiest state after Alaska. You may also need shovels here, though winters in Wyoming tend to be dry, even if they are cold. On the upbeat side, Wyoming is known for its stunning landscapes (picture the Rocky Mountains!), low taxes (it does not maintain an individual income tax), and space; there is more than enough elbow room. If this sounds like an ideal setting for retirement, start scoping for a well-informed realtor. Meanwhile, retirees do not have to break the bank. The following are the 7 most affordable towns to retire in Wyoming.
Lander
The median listing home price in Lander was $377,500 in March 2024. For perspective, the median home listing price in the state is $449,000. Wyoming is known to be windy. What makes Lander appealing (and unique) is the fact it gets so little wind. Riverton, which hosts SageWest Health Care, is just 25 minutes down the road. While the town’s median age is 37, residents aged 60 and above comprise 25% of the town’s population. Enjoyable diversions here include Lander City Park, which has fishing spots, a little trail, and a lovely camping site. To history lovers, the Museum of the American West, which features a 10-building pioneer village, celebrates the area’s rich heritage. Other outdoor venues within the precincts of town include Mcmanus Park and Goodrich Park.
Thermopolis
A cute, dainty town of just about 2,700 residents, Thermopolis provides access to Hot Springs State Park, where a retiree will enjoy a refreshing soak on a hot summer afternoon once in a while. The town boasts a median listing price of $235,000, which is a fair price point, considering what the town offers. If Thermopolis is a beautiful story (and it is), Storyteller, a charming bookstore and coffee shop, will prove a nice venue to spend a slow and lazy afternoon. Just don't miss their lattes! On the shopping front, Mack's Market provides fantastic retail therapy. Also, Boysen State Park, where acres of blue water provide a delicious contrast to a surreal and mystical desert, is a short, 20-minute drive away. There is also the Bighorn River, famous for dry fly fishing. Concerning healthcare access, the highly-rated Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital is right in town. Last—but not least, this town’s median age is 46. In a similar vein, residents aged 60 and above comprise a comforting 34% of the population.
Gillette
Gillette is a quiet, family-oriented town that features a two-year community college and peaceful neighborhoods and boasts an endearing, tight-knit feel. The median listing home price in Gillette was $357,000 in March 2024, making it one of Wyoming's most affordable towns. Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport is an easy five miles from downtown Gillette, boosting Gillette’s accessibility credentials. Seasoned golfers will enjoy spending afternoons at the well-maintained Bell Nob Golf Course, known for its lush fairways and smooth greens—or at the Gillette Golf Club, a fantastic 9-hole golf course. Also, boasting a serene ambiance, McManamen Park is a delightful venue for outdoor relaxation—as is the Dalbey Memorial Park, which features a lake with fishing docks. In a medical emergency, Campbell County Memorial Hospital, a 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, is right in town. Considering Gillette’s median age is 33, it may come as a relief that residents aged 60 and above comprise 18% of the town’s population.
Newcastle
There is possibly no cheaper place to own a house in Wyoming than in Newcastle, where homes fetch a median listing price of just $199,000. At that price point, one would fear that Newcastle is a middle-of-nowhere town with no amenities to write home about. Yet, Newcastle hosts Weston County Health Services and is a convenient 40 minutes from Custer, South Dakota. The aptly named Serenity Trail is just 3 miles from town while the well-kept City of Newcastle - Dow Park, which features beautiful green grass and a serene, heart-calming feel, is right on Main Street. However, all these pale in comparison to what the Black Hills National Forest, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park—which are all minutes from town—offer. While Newcastle’s median age is 35, residents aged 60 and above comprise 21% of the population.
Torrington
Torrington is one of Wyoning’s quintessential retirement venues. It is temptingly affordable, with a median home price of just $259,000. Also, it hosts a Community Hospital, which has been providing excellent medical care since 1977. Then again, Torrington provides access to outdoor venues such as the North Platte River, Jirdon Park (it features nice walking paths and exercise equipment), and the quiet and pretty Pioneer Park, famous for its riverfront campground. This town’s median age is a sweet and calm 44. In a similar vein, residents aged 60 and above comprise 28% of the population. This means retirees here can easily link up with fellow empty nesters with whom they can reminisce about the good, old days.
Green River
The median listing home price in Green River was $269,900 in March 2024—earning it a spot among the most affordable towns to retire in the state. Green River is next to Rock Springs, which hosts the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. According to Safewise, Green River is the fifth-safest city in Wyoming. This means a retiree here will not need to be clutching her purse — or constantly glancing over her shoulders while strolling down the streets. Green River’s median age is a vibrant 37. Still, residents aged 60 and above comprise 23% of the population, meaning about 1 in 4 residents are fellow empty nesters. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, where the 42,020-acre Flaming Gorge Reservoir is located, is in the town’s backyard. This reservoir is the largest in Wyoming and is the site of numerous on-the-water adventures. Green River also meanders through the town and provides rustic, waterfront views. Once in a while, a retiree here will want to sit at Scott's Bottom Nature Area and just enjoy a slow and quiet evening—or get her heart purring at Wilkins Peak Trailhead, where some leg-burning trails will keep her in stellar physical shape.
Douglas
If the median listing price in Douglas is anything to go by, a house here will set one back just $345,900. For a town Safewise ranks as the fourth-safest in the state, that price point will look like a steal. Retirees here have access to the highly-rated Memorial Hospital Of Converse County, which boasts a recommendation rate of 81%. That’s according to the healthcare review website Healthgrades. While this town boasts a bubbly median age of 36, residents aged 60 and above comprise 17% of its population. On diversity, 13% of Douglas residents are Hispanics, meaning residents can explore a different culture. For big-city amenities, Casper, Wyoming’s second-largest city, is an easy 40-minute drive away. For outdoor lovers, this town provides access to the North Platte River, Riverside Park, the city’s go-to camping spot, and Washington Park, which features some interesting historical information.
The thought of traveling on a whim, snoring like a boar, and plotting mid-week adventures, make retirement something to look forward to. There are several reasons retirees should consider Wyoming, including its range of breathtaking landscapes, low taxes, and wide-open spaces. If you are short of cash or just do not wish to splurge on a house, options abound. These range from Newcastle, which boasts a median home listing price of $199,000 — to Lander, whose median home listing price is $377,500, making this lovely state an affordable retirement destination without sacrificing amenities!
