10 Best Places To Live In Wyoming In 2026
Wyoming collects no state income tax. That keeps cost of living below the national average and lets energy revenue fund the kind of local infrastructure most small towns cannot afford. In Pinedale, the aquatic center with its pools and water slides runs on natural gas money. Over in Cody, the Nite Rodeo has run every summer evening since 1938. The ten towns below were chosen for the mix of affordability and outdoor access that gives a place staying power. They each show what Wyoming's tax advantages buy at the local level.
Pinedale
Pinedale is home to one of the largest natural gas fields in the US. This revenue has been invested into infrastructure that helps deliver a quality of life well above what most towns of 2,000 people would support. The Pinedale Aquatic Center is a recreation center with multiple pools, a water slide, a tennis and basketball court, and a fitness center, all for $10 or less in admission.
The Wind River Range begins right at the edge of town, offering backcountry hiking, fishing, and climbing that attract tourists from across the country and boost the local economy. White Pine Ski Area, the Museum of the Mountain Man, and the Town park system along the Pine Creek Corridor help fill out the community calendar for residents looking for activities.
Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park are 72 and 82 miles away, making for an easy day or weekend trip, but far enough away to keep Pinedale's cost of living 18% below the national average. If you're drawn to small towns with strong amenities for their size and access to nature, Pinedale is for you.
Sheridan
Sheridan is one of the most well-rounded communities in Wyoming, with top-ranked schools, a walkable historic downtown, and access to the Bighorn Mountains, a package that draws families and remote workers alike. Sheridan High School ranks fifth statewide, and Sheridan College has earned recognition as one of the top community colleges in the country.
The Mint Bar on Main Street has been "Wyoming's Legendary Meeting Place" for cowboys, ranchers, and dudes for almost 100 years, and the free King's Saddlery on North Main houses one of the best antique saddle collections in the country. The Bighorn Mountains rise just west of Sheridan, with skiing at Antelope Butte Mountain Resort about an hour's drive into the high country.
The Sheridan VA Medical Center, American Legion post, and Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter give the city one of the strongest veteran support networks in Wyoming, while investment in fiber internet has made Sheridan equally attractive to remote workers seeking a well-connected community with access to the mountains and forests.
Dubois
Dubois sits in the Wind River Valley between the Absaroka and Wind River ranges, shaping the town's landscape and economy. Guest ranches, outfitters, artists, and remote workers form the backbone of the local economy, many of whom are drawn to the town for its reliable high-speed internet and the access it offers to airports and major hospitals in Jackson, Lander, and Riverton.
Cowboy Cafe on Ramshorn Street has been a local fixture for almost 40 years, and Noon Rock Pizza adds another casual option in town for residents looking for everyday variety.
The National Bighorn Sheep Center is an education and outreach center that draws many wildlife enthusiasts to the area, alongside Togwotee Mountain Pass. The cost of living is about 4% above the national average, making Dubois a practical option for remote workers or retirees looking for a mountain town with easier access to larger regional services.
Casper
Ranking as the most affordable metro area in the entire Rocky Mountain region, Casper has a median sale price of $289,500 and an overall cost of living 10% below the national average. Banner Wyoming Medical Center, the state's largest hospital, is also one of the city's largest employers, providing economic stability.
Casper Mountain, a 12-mile drive from the city, provides easy access to miles of bike trails and skiing at Hogadon Basin. Within Casper, the North Platte River Trail is a paved 11-mile path that runs through the community, serving as a year-round hub of outdoor recreation for residents and a way to connect to other sites such as Morad Park and the Fort Caspar Museum.
First-time homebuyers and families who want mountain access without ski-resort prices, while still being able to live in the second-largest metro area in Wyoming, will find Casper an appealing option.
Cody
Named after Buffalo Bill and 52 miles from Yellowstone National Park, Cody serves as a gateway to the park and the Shoshone National Forest. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West contains five museums, all under one roof, while the Cody Nite Rodeo runs every evening from June through August, making it one of the few places in the country with a nightly summer rodeo.
For residents, Cody offers an active local dining scene, with places like Trailhead Restaurant and The Blanca Tatanka adding everyday variety and live music to town life. With a cost of living 11% below the national average and a median rent of $760, Cody stands out for families or individuals alike who want genuine Western culture alongside quick access to the natural world.
Gillette
Sitting in the heart of the Powder River Basin, Gillette makes one of the strongest financial cases for relocation in the state. The median sale price is $355,000, the homeownership rate is above 70%, housing remains relatively accessible, and the cost of living is 14% below the national average.
Coal mining, oil extraction, and methane extraction provide stable, well-paying employment for locals, while Gillette College adds local access to higher education and workforce training. Gillette's violent crime rate is 50% below the national level, and Campbell County School District is home to 23 public schools, as nearly 30% of the population is under the age of 18.
Devils Tower National Monument is about an hour's drive east for weekend recreation. Families looking for an affordable, safe, and community-focused city, as well as energy-sector workers, will find Gillette a strong option.
Jackson
Jackson delivers a lifestyle unlike any other, heavily defined by its location between Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the Gros Ventre Wilderness. This unique location comes at a price that requires substantial resources. Median sale prices in Jackson are $2.18 million as of March 2026, and the average rent for a studio is around $3,000.
Residents have access to many amenities that other towns of similar size do not, as Jackson Hole Airport offers nonstop service to many major US cities.
The Center for the Arts hosts the Grand Teton Music Festival alongside touring Broadway productions, while the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar on the Town Square and Persephone Bakery on Broadway add to the town's cultural and everyday appeal. For high earners and remote workers who prioritize exceptional access to the outdoors and a full community calendar of events, Jackson stands out.
Cheyenne
Cheyenne offers some of the most complete city amenities in Wyoming at a cost of living below the national average, with median sale prices at $365,000 and an average commute of 13 minutes. The Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Lunavi cloud services, and a growing data center infrastructure by companies like Microsoft power the local economy.
The Greater Cheyenne Greenway provides over 40 miles of free trails for walking or biking and connects the city's neighborhoods and schools, creating a closer-knit community. Curt Gowdy State Park, 25 miles west, is a short trip and a destination for hiking, boating, fishing, and horseback riding. Each July, Frontier Days brings concerts, night shows, the world's largest outdoor rodeo, and free pancake breakfasts.
For those looking for city life without the cost or long commutes, a diverse job market, and Wyoming's tax advantages, Cheyenne is the natural choice.
Rock Springs
Located above one of the largest trona deposits in the world, a mineral used in glass, detergents, and many other industrial products, Rock Springs has built one of the more stable local economies in Wyoming. The cost of living is 21% below the national average, the median sale price is $329,000, the median household income is $83,000, and violent crime averages well below the national average.
Western Wyoming Community College provides two-year and workforce-related certificates, supporting industries important to the local economy. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is just a half-hour drive south for camping, boating, off-roading, and views of the red rock canyon landscape. If you work in manufacturing and industry, or simply want a safe, low-cost community with access to the outdoors, Rock Springs could be for you.
Rawlins
Rawlins might be the most affordable place on this list. The cost of living is 18% below the national average, and 7% below the Wyoming average. Centrally located along the southern part of the state, Rawlins offers better connectivity than most Wyoming towns of its size, which helps residents commute, travel for services, and reach larger job hubs more easily.
The Wyoming Frontier Prison, a Victorian-era facility that operated from 1901 to 1981, now functions as a popular museum. Saratoga and its Hobo Hot Springs are a great weekend destination, while the North Platte River and the Great Divide Basin offer residents access to fishing, hiking, and the Red Desert landscape. Budget-conscious families, singles, and retirees on fixed incomes looking to maximize what their dollars buy in Wyoming will find Rawlins a practical place to be.
How to Choose the Right Wyoming Town
No matter where you choose to live in Wyoming, its core advantages will be there with you. There's no income tax, relatively low overhead, and outdoor recreation that few states can match. Wyoming's 10 best places to live offer a wide variety of advantages from education and healthcare to outdoor access, economic opportunity, and affordable living, and the right choice comes down to which of those priorities matters most to you.
