Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Cost of living index
2010–2024MERIC composite index, U.S. average = 100.
Wyoming Cost of Living Index
Wyoming's overall cost of living index is 92.4 (US average = 100), making it one of the more affordable states despite high-cost pockets like Teton County.
Regional Price Parity, all items
2008–2024BEA Regional Price Parities (SARPP line 1).
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Price Parity, all items2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 92.7 | 100 |
- •Wyoming ranks among the more affordable states overall, but Teton County has the highest median home price in the U.S.
- •No state income tax significantly improves Wyoming's effective affordability.
- •Rural parts of the state have notably lower living costs than resort towns like Jackson.
Wyoming Housing Costs
The median home value in Wyoming was about $352,000 in 2024, with median rent around $1,010, though prices in Teton County exceed $2 million.
Housing price parity (rents)
2008–2024BEA Regional Price Parities, housing (SARPP line 3).
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Housing price parity (rents)2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 71.1 | 100 |
| Median home value ($) | 352000 | 420000 |
- •Teton County has the highest median home price of any county in the United States, exceeding $2 million.
- •Statewide homeownership rate is high at 72.1%.
- •High seasonal/vacation-home vacancy (13.4%) reflects Wyoming's resort and second-home market.
Wyoming Utility Costs
Wyoming enjoys some of the lowest utility costs in the nation, with residential electricity priced at about 11.4 cents per kWh thanks to abundant coal and wind generation.
Utilities price parity
2008–2024BEA Regional Price Parities, utilities (SARPP line 4).
Electricity price per kWh (West region)
1979–2024BLS Average Price Data, annual average (APU040072610).
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities price parity2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 78.4 | 100 |
| Residential electricity price (¢/kWh) | 11.4 | 16.2 |
- •Wyoming is a net electricity exporter thanks to its large coal and growing wind generation capacity.
- •Wind power now supplies roughly 22% of Wyoming's electricity generation.
- •Cold winters increase heating costs, partially offsetting the state's low electricity rates.
Wyoming Food Costs
Grocery costs in Wyoming run close to the national average, with a grocery index around 99.0 reflecting the state's rural transportation logistics.
Goods price parity
2008–2024BEA Regional Price Parities, goods (SARPP line 2).
Food price index (West region)
2006–2025BLS CPI-U food, West region, annual average (CUUR0400SAF1).
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Goods price parity2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 95.4 | 100 |
- •Wyoming's low population density adds transportation costs to grocery distribution in remote towns.
- •Local ranching supports relatively lower beef prices in some rural markets.
- •Food costs are notably higher in resort communities like Jackson due to import logistics.
Wyoming Healthcare Costs
Healthcare costs in Wyoming run near the national average (index ≈96), but access is limited by a shortage of physicians and hospitals in this vast, rural state.
Medical care price index (West region)
2006–2025BLS CPI-U medical care, West region, annual average (CUUR0400SAM).
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured rate (%) | 11.5 | 8 |
- •Wyoming has no medical school of its own and relies on the multi-state WWAMI program to train physicians.
- •About 27 hospitals serve the state, many designated as critical-access facilities in rural counties.
- •Wyoming has one of the nation's highest uninsured rates, partly due to its rural, low-density population.
Wyoming Transportation Costs
Transportation costs in Wyoming run slightly above the national average (index ≈102) due to long driving distances, though commute times remain short at about 18.5 minutes.
Regular gasoline price
1993–2025U.S. EIA weekly retail price, all formulations, Rocky Mountain region (PADD 4), annual average (EMM_EPMR_PTE_R40_DPG).
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gasoline priceWeek of 2026-10-05, U.S. EIA weekly retail price | $4.42 per gallon | $4.35 per gallon |
| Average commute (minutes) | 18.5 | 26.4 |
- •Wyoming residents have among the shortest average commute times in the country, at about 18.5 minutes.
- •Long distances between towns push up per-household fuel spending despite low gas taxes.
- •Wyoming has minimal public transit, with small systems like START in Jackson and Cheyenne Transit.