12 Safest Towns In Wyoming For Senior Living
Seniors seeking open spaces and safe communities can count on Wyoming as a fertile choice to plant roots. The Equality State helps retirees stretch their dollars with no state income tax, and one of the lowest property tax rates in the country, at just 0.58% in 2025. Known for rugged and wild beauty, nearly half of Wyoming is owned by the federal government, many of the acres protected in places that attract nature lovers from all over the world, including Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Devil's Tower National Monument. Despite its rank as the 10th-largest, by area, Wyoming is the least populous in the nation, with just 587,618 people in 2024. It is also ranked consistently high on lists of the safest states to live in: Wyoming reported 925 burglaries in the state in 2024, accordig to Wyoming's crime states website, or approximately 157 per 100,000, compared with the national average ticking in at 250 per 100,000. Here are the 12 safest towns in Wyoming for senior living.
Laramie
In the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Laramie blends the conveniences found in an urban setting with a pioneer spirit synonymous with the state. Home to the University of Wyoming, this college town is the fourth largest city in Wyoming, with 32,638 people. Laramie boasts dozens of museums and art galleries, a downtown listed in the National Register of Historic Places, including the Union Pacific Railroad Pedestrian Bridge and Depot, Lovejoy's Novelty Works, and Wyoming Women's History Museum. Cultural interests meld with the outdoor attractions of Medicine Bow National Forest and the Big Laramie River. Seniors who choose Laramie as their new home will enjoy peace of mind, knowing the crime is below the national average. Laramie also provides amenities tailored to a fixed income, including free buses during the week, courtesy of the university, Though the median house price stood at $425,000, compared with the national average of $398,400, there are a variety of affordable options, including both independent and assisted living.
Sheridan
Halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore, in South Dakota, Sheridan takes pride in its reputation for safety, while reveling in a New West frontier spirit. Sheridan preserves its history through landmarks like the Historic Sheridan Inn Hotel, where author Ernest Hemingway famously wrote the end to his novel "A Farewell To Arms," and the impressive Trail End State Historic Site, a 13,748-square-foot mansion built by the John B Kendrick family in the early 20th century. Whether retirees prefer a stroll downtown or out in nature, crime is below the national average in this town of 19,543, with 19 burglaries reported in 2024, or roughly one per 1,000 residents. For outdoor-loving seniors, the Bighorn National Forest entrance is just five minutes from downtown. Sheridan VA Hospital, Sheridan Memorial Hospital, and specialty clinics and doctors provide a solid healthcare infrastructure, despite the town's distance from any of the state's larger towns.
Cody
Perched on the Eastern Gateway to Yellowstone National Park, Cody earned the title of "2023's Best Western Small Town," as dubbed by USA Today, and the 10,240 people who call the "Rodeo Capital of the World" home agree. Despite the surge of Yellowstone visitors year-round, Cody boasts a low crime rate: police reported 24 burglaries in the past two years, below the national average. There are plenty of housing options for seniors, including five senior living communities in town, and healthcare options include Cody Regional Health, West Park Hospital, and Bighorn Medical Center. The safety level in Cody, coupled with its infrastructure, the Wild West charm of the rodeos, Yellowstone, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and the annual Cody Stampede, provide more than enough incentive to consider this Cowboy State town home.
Thermopolis
Eighty-four miles south of Cody sits Thermopolis, a tiny town overflowing with the natural energy of its hot springs. This town of 2,742 is best known for its Hot Springs State Park and touts a number of public and private pools, but it is also known as one of the safest towns in the state, with only a handful of burglaries reported in 2024. After a soothing soak, stroll through downtown and take in the area's history at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, Legend Rock Petroglyph, and Hot Springs County Museum. Bighorn River is an angler's dream, known for trout, and the nearby Wind River offers white water rafting, for thrill seekers. The highly organized Hot Springs County Senior Center keeps the community connected, and there are a variety of housing options for older people, and those with specific needs, including senior apartments and an assisted living center.
Buffalo
In the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains, Buffalo, houses 4,621 people drawn to the dramatic landscape of the mountains meeting the plains. The low crime rate — just a few burglaries in the past two years — allows a sense of security for all ages as they explore the historic downtown, including the Occidental Hotel & Saloon and the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, housing a vibrant collection of artifacts from the city's first pharmacist. Bighorn National Forest lies right outside city limits, and Lake DeSmet and Crazy Woman Canyon are short day trips worth the drive. Though the median price of a home in Buffalo is slightly higher than the national average, clocking in the mid- to upper-$400,000 range, there are affordable senior housing options, including Veteran's Home of Wyoming, Agape Manor, and Willow Creek of Buffalo, and a healthcare system that includes the general hospital Johnson County Healthcare Center.
Worland
For retirees who fancy settling in a further-flung small town, without sacrificing services, Worland may be just the ticket. With a population of 4,806, Worland sits between Cody and Buffalo in the Big Horn Basin near the Big Horn River, giving residents easy access to outdoor activities year-round. Thirty-nine percent of the population registered as 50 years old or older, which has contributed to a strong community for retirees; the Worland Senior Center and Worland Aquatic Center provide a full calendar of activities. Seniors also have access to solid healthcare, despite the town's isolation; the town houses Washakie Medical Center and Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, a senior living community offering a Bridge to Rediscovery Alzheimer’s care program and skilled nursing services. One of the safest towns in the state, Worland reported only one burglary in 2024.
Glenrock
For seniors who prefer a blend of slow living and adventure, with proximity to a bigger city, Glenrock is just 25 miles from Casper but feels like it is in its own world. Along with its neighboring town, Douglas, Glenrock hosts visitors to the Wyoming State Fair each year, plus adrenaline-fueled events like the Sheepherders Rendezvous and Motorsports Drag Races. Thirty-six percent of the town of 2,421 is 50 years old or older, and Glenrock combined resources with Douglas to run the Converse County Aging Services, which provide hot meals on weekdays, and a slate of activities like bingo, massage, crafts, and movement classes. Police reported just a few burglaries in 2024, giving seniors peace of mind as they enjoy places like The Commerce Block, located in the downtown area and constructed in 1917 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Deer Creek Museum, Paleon Museum and Glenrock Golf Course.
Sundance
Best known for giving a member of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch his infamous nickname "The Sundance Kid," this town of 1,182 tucked in the northeast corner of the state sits one mile from Black Hills National Forest, and 28 miles from Devil's Tower National Monument. More than half the population is 50 years old or older, with an active senior center catering to their needs. The historic downtown is anchored by the Crook County Museum, housed in the "Old Stoney" building, listed on the National Historical Register, and home to more than 7,000 artifacts, including the original courtroom where the Sundance Kid stood trial. Despite its colorful past, Sundance retirees can rest easy, knowing the crime rate is negligible. The median house price fluctuates, but is often in the $300,000 range, below the national average, with a variety of other housing options available.
Saratoga
Recreation and relaxation are paramount in Saratoga, a town of 1,752 surrounded by Elk Mountain, the Snowy Range Mountains, and the Sierra Madre Mountains. The North Platte River, famous for its trout fishing, runs right through its historic downtown, which is anchored by the Wolf Hotel, built in 1893. Saratoga is home to the Hobo Hot Springs; these are free hot springs open 24 hours a day for those who want to kick back in warm water while they soak in the scenery. Saratoga Museum houses the state's most diverse gem and mineral collection, in a building formerly used as the town's original Union Pacific Railroad Depot. Police reported two burglaries in 2024, well below the national average, and the median home price in 2024 stood at $322,530, well below the national average, making it an attractive option for seniors who prefer a smaller, slower style in the mountains.
Afton
Compared with other small Wyoming towns, life is a little pricier in Afton, a town of 2,270 in the Star Valley on the state's western edge. Known for the world's largest archway made of more than 3,000 elk antlers, Afton is also home to natural attractions like Intermittent Spring and Bridger-Teton Forest. That said, Afton has no shortage of cultural attractions, like CallAir Museum, the Lander Trail Museum, and the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum. Seasonal activities include Cutter/Chariot Racing and the Snowmobile Hill Climb Challenge in the winter, and the Lincoln County Fair and Afton Freedom Festival in the summer. The town is solidly in favor of the senior demographic; 40 percent of the population is 50 years old or older, and the Salt River Senior Center ensures retirees have access to a variety of services. Though the median home price totaled $460,394, well above the national average, there are other, more affordable housing options in Afton, including apartments, townhouses, and assisted living facilities.
Evanston
For a bit more bustle on the western side of the state, try Evanston, a growing suburb on the Wyoming border. Surrounded by mountains, with Bear River running through downtown, Evanston is home to 11,807 people, 17 percent of whom are 65 years old and older. Depot Square, a three-block area donated by Union Pacific Railroad in 1987, stands today as a fully restored train depot, with a replica of the original Chinese Joss House, heritage and Chinese gazebos, the renovated barn Beeman-Cashin building, the Carnegie Library housing the Chamber of Commerce, and Uinta County Museum. The town's calendar is packed with events year-round, including the Evanston Rodeo Series, Cowboy Days PRCA Rodeo, Bear, Brats and Bluegrass Festival, BrewFest, Wyoming Downs, car cruise, demolition derby, and the Roundhouse Festival. Seniors looking to stretch their dollar will love that the median home price comes in at $295,612. All this, and Evanston's crime rate sits below the national average, making it an attractive option for retirees.
Pinedale
On the Salt to Stone Drive, a mountainous route from Salt Lake City to Jackson, Pinedale prides itself for embodying an authentic pioneer spirit that is also a haven for seniors seeking a safe nesting ground. For adventurers, the town of 2,052 is home to The Green River Drift, which is the longest-running cattle drive in the country and the only ranching-related Traditional Cultural Property listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To this day, cowboys twice annually shut down traffic as they herd their cattle through town during this Drift. Pinedale is also home to the Museum of the Mountain Man, focused on telling the history of the Rocky Mountain fur trade. For retirees seeking more of the "arts," in arts and culture, Pinedale offers events like the historic Green River Rendezvous, the Soundcheck Summer Music Series, and the Wind River Brewfest. Pinedale is also one of the safest towns in the state; the Sublette County Sheriff's Department reported in 2024 only a small amount of burglaries in the entire county, of which Pinedale is one of eight towns. Though the median home price checks in slightly higher than the national average, Pinedale has other, more affordable options, making the gateway to the Wind River Mountain Range an attractive choice.
Bottom line? For seniors considering a move to Wyoming, the question isn't whether they will find a safe, small town; the question is: Which of the 12 safest towns in Wyoming for senior living will they choose? From bustling tourist towns to sleepy hamlets tucked in the mountains, Wyoming offers up a slew of small cities designed to appeal to seniors who like friendly tax laws, a lower cost of living, the thrill of an outdoor adventure, and a Wild West history that persists in Wyomingites, to this day.
