9 Best Places To Live In Wyoming In 2025
Wyoming offers a rare combination of breathtaking landscapes, economic opportunity, and quality of life that's increasingly drawing new residents. The state's lack of income tax, abundant outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community make it particularly attractive as more Americans seek alternatives to crowded urban centers. Whether you're looking for a vibrant small city, a mountain town with world-class recreation, or a peaceful rural setting with room to breathe, Wyoming has appealing options in 2025.
Cheyenne
As Wyoming's capital and largest city, Cheyenne balances urban amenities with small-town charm in a way few state capitals can match. The historic downtown continues its renaissance with new restaurants, breweries, and shops opening in beautifully restored buildings. Housing remains remarkably affordable compared to similarly positioned cities in neighboring states, with median home prices still allowing middle-class families to become homeowners.
F.E. Warren Air Force Base provides economic stability, while the growing tech sector offers career opportunities beyond traditional energy and government jobs. The annual Cheyenne Frontier Days celebrates the city's western heritage each July, bringing world-class rodeo competitions and musical performances.
If you're looking for family-friendly neighborhoods with good schools, the developing areas on the city's south and east sides offer newer housing stock with easy access to both urban amenities and outdoor recreation. The city's location, just 90 minutes from Denver, provides big-city access without big-city living challenges.
Jackson
For those with substantial resources seeking an unmatched combination of natural beauty and sophisticated amenities, Jackson remains Wyoming's premier destination. This gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks has evolved into a community that balances outdoor adventure with cultural offerings typically found in much larger cities.
The renowned Center for the Arts hosts performances ranging from the Grand Teton Music Festival to traveling Broadway shows while galleries showcase work from internationally recognized artists. The food scene has matured dramatically, with restaurants offering sophisticated cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
Housing costs present the most significant challenge to Jackson Hole living, with median home prices exceeding $2 million in 2025. However, if your career allows remote work with occasional travel or you work in healthcare, education, or the robust tourism industry, Jackson offers a lifestyle that combines wilderness access with urban perks.
Sheridan
At the foot of the Bighorn Mountains in northern Wyoming, Sheridan combines Western heritage with a surprisingly sophisticated cultural scene. The beautifully preserved downtown features historic buildings now housing independent bookstores, art galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants. The WYO Theater hosts performances ranging from symphony orchestras to innovative theater productions.
The ranching industry remains central to both the economy and cultural identity, with working ranches surrounding the city and the Don King Museum celebrating this heritage. Newer industries, including light manufacturing and technology companies, have diversified the economic base.
If you're looking for a community that values both its Western roots and forward-thinking amenities, Sheridan delivers with its excellent public schools, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, and housing prices that remain reasonable by Western standards. The city's investment in fiber internet infrastructure has made it increasingly attractive to remote workers seeking quality of life without sacrificing connectivity.
Laramie
Home to the University of Wyoming, Laramie offers academic energy in a small mountain city setting. The university provides cultural and sporting events throughout the year, while the historic downtown features independent businesses catering to both students and long-term residents. The Laramie Plains Museum excellently preserves the area's pioneer history in the beautiful Ivinson Mansion.
The combination of university resources and mountain setting creates a community that values both intellectual pursuits and outdoor recreation. The nearby Medicine Bow National Forest provides world-class hiking, mountain biking, and skiing, while the Snowy Range offers spectacular alpine scenery just 35 miles from downtown.
If you're looking for an affordable mountain town with more progressive values, Laramie offers housing prices significantly lower than comparable university towns in Colorado or Montana. The growing tech sector, anchored by the Wyoming Technology Business Center, provides career opportunities beyond academia.
Cody
Named for Buffalo Bill Cody and embracing its Western heritage, this eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park offers small-town living with outsized cultural amenities. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West houses five world-class museums under one roof, exploring topics from Western art to firearms history to Plains Indian cultures.
Downtown Cody maintains its historic character while accommodating modern businesses, with the nightly summer rodeo celebrating the community's ongoing connection to ranching heritage. The surrounding landscape offers exceptional outdoor recreation, from fly fishing the Shoshone River to hiking in the nearby Absaroka Mountains.
If you're looking for a community that balances tourism with year-round livability, Cody's diversified economy includes healthcare, manufacturing, and a growing remote work population. Housing remains more affordable than in many western resort communities, with new developments expanding options for those seeking modern amenities.
Rock Springs
Once known primarily for coal mining and trona production, Rock Springs has diversified its economy and amenities to become an increasingly attractive place to call home. The Union Pacific Railroad and extractive industries provide a solid economic base, while the developing downtown features restored historic buildings housing new restaurants and shops.
The town may be small and on the quiet side, but it's far from desolate or dull. Rock Springs is home to Western Wyoming Community College, which provides educational opportunities in this high-desert community.
If you're looking for affordable housing and good employment opportunities, Rock Springs offers some of Wyoming's best values, with energy sector jobs often paying well above national averages. The surrounding landscape provides exceptional outdoor recreation, from boating on Flaming Gorge Reservoir to exploring the unique rock formations of the Green River Basin.
Powell
This agricultural community in northwestern Wyoming offers peaceful small-town living with surprising educational resources. Northwest College provides both academic opportunities and cultural programming, from art exhibitions to concerts and lectures. Powell, the heart of Wyoming's most productive agricultural region, celebrates this heritage with events like the Park County Fair.
Downtown Powell maintains its historic character while accommodating modern businesses, with local establishments like Gestalt Studios at the Polar Plant combining an art gallery, performance space, and community gathering spot. The Powell Aquatic Center ranks among Wyoming's finest public recreational facilities.
If you're looking for affordable family living with strong community connections, Powell delivers excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, and housing prices well below national averages. The community's location, just 25 miles from Cody, provides access to additional amenities, while the spectacular Absaroka Mountains lie just to the west.
Lander
Positioned where the plains rise dramatically into the Wind River Range, Lander combines outdoor adventure with small-town charm. The town serves as headquarters for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), attracting outdoor enthusiasts and educators from around the world.
Downtown Lander features locally-owned businesses from outdoor gear shops to excellent coffee houses and restaurants. The Lander Art Center showcases regional artists, while events like the International Climbers' Festival celebrate the area's world-class rock climbing opportunities. Sinks Canyon State Park provides exceptional recreation minutes from downtown.
If you're looking for a progressive small town with direct access to wilderness, Lander offers a supportive community for entrepreneurs and creatives. Housing prices, though rising, remain reasonable for a mountain town with Lander's amenities. If you're planning a visit, you might want to check out the town during one of its fun yearly events like the Lander Brewfest or Pioneer Days Rodeo.
Green River
Often overlooked in favor of neighboring Rock Springs, Green River offers an exceptional quality of life centered around its namesake waterway. The town's position along the Green River creates recreational opportunities, from fishing to whitewater rafting, while the unusual white cliffs surrounding the community offer a beautiful backdrop.
Expedition Island Park commemorates the site where John Wesley Powell launched his historic 1871 exploration of the Colorado River system, with the Expedition Island Pavilion hosting community events throughout the year. The nearby Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area offers boating, fishing, and camping in a spectacular red rock setting.
If you're looking for family-friendly living with direct access to water recreation, Green River delivers with good schools, safe neighborhoods, and housing prices below national averages. The community's smaller size fosters strong connections, while proximity to Rock Springs provides additional shopping and services when needed.
Wyoming's best places to live in 2025 offer a variety of advantages depending on your priorities. Whether you value cultural amenities, outdoor recreation, economic opportunity, or affordable family living, these nine communities represent the diversity of experiences available in the Equality State. With remote work continuing to reshape where Americans can build their lives, Wyoming's combination of natural beauty, economic freedom, and genuine community makes it increasingly attractive to Americans seeking alternatives to crowded, expensive coastal states.
