Moving to Wyoming: Pros and Cons in 2025

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Mar 27, 2025
9 min read

If you’re thinking about moving to Wyoming, you’re not alone. The Equality State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Cheyenne and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.

As much as there is to love about Wyoming, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.

Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Wyoming to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Jump to the Wyoming information you are looking for:

Pros & cons
Attractions
Fun facts
Population & demographics
Weather
Income & cost of living
Top schools
Top movers to WY
Top car shippers to WY
FAQs

Pros & cons of living in Wyoming

Like any big move, relocating to Wyoming comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.

Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Equality State to help you make an informed decision.

Pros of living in WY

✓Abundant natural beauty
✓Outdoor recreation
✓Peaceful
✓Low state tax burden
✓Delicious western food

Cons of living in WY

✖Severe weather conditions
✖Remote
✖Lack of diversity
✖Lack of urbanization
✖No professional sports teams

Things to do in Wyoming

Whether you’re moving to Wyoming work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Wyoming has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.

You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.

Popular Attractions in Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Devil’s Tower National Monument
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Hot Springs State Park
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum
Fossil Butte National Monument
Teton Village
University of Wyoming Geological Museum

Museums in Wyoming

National Museum of Wildlife Art
Wyoming State Museum
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Cheyenne Depot Museum
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum
National Historic Trails Interpretive Center
Wyoming Dinosaur Center
Images of Nature by Thomas Mangelsen
Rockpile Museum
Frontier Auto Museum

Parks in Wyoming

Phil Baux Park
Mylar Park
Holliday Park
Expedition Island Park
Boysen State Park
Chris LeDoux Memorial Park
Seminoe State Park
Morad Park
Kendrick Park
Absaroka Bay RV Park

Fun facts about Wyoming

Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.

These fun facts about Wyoming, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.

The award winning Rocky IV is the fourth film in Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky series. The training scenes in Rocky IV were shot in Jackson’s Hole, Wyoming. The other scenes supposedly showing the frozen landscapes of Russia were shot in the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Wyoming is a very peaceful place these days. However, it was the scene of bloody battles in the 19th century. The Indian warriors Crazy Horse and Red Cloud led extremely well-organized armies of Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho troops. These fighters decimated US troops at the Ft. Phil Kearny in 1886.
Wyoming has many state parks. The largest park in Wyoming is the Boysen. This park is located in Riverton and it is home to the nearby Boysen Reservoir. The state park covers more than 35,000 acres at the south end of the Owl Creek Mountains at the mouth of the Wind River Canyon.
Wyoming has a number of state symbols. The state tree is the cottonwood and the state bird is the meadowlark. The state flower is the Indian Paintbrush and there is even a state dinosaur. The state dinosaur is the Triceratops. Wyoming is just one of the six states with a designated dinosaur.
Many people are familiar with the California Gold Rush. The Wyoming Gold Rush came almost 20 years after the California Gold Rush. This happened in 1867 when Lewis Robison and Joshua Terry discovered the Carisso ledge.
The Wind River in Wyoming changes its name in the middle of the stream. At this point, it becomes the Big Horn River. This is a sacred spot for the Native Americans because they hold an annual ceremony here depicting the “Wedding of the Waters.”
The first female governor in American history was elected in Wyoming. Her name was Nellie Ross and she was the wife of Wyoming governor, William Bradford Ross. After her husband died in office, she was elected to finish his tenure. She served the state from 1925 to 1927 and she remains the only female governor in Wyoming history.
“Old faithful” is a famous (or infamous) cone geyser in the Yellowstone National Park. It has the name because its eruptions are very predictable. This geyser erupts every 90 minutes and about 90% of its eruptions are predictable within a ten-minute window.
There are more geysers in Yellowstone than anywhere else on earth.

Wyoming population and demographics

While you’re thinking about relocating to Wyoming, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Equality State.

A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.

Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.

Understanding who lives in Wyoming, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.

Metric	Wyoming
Population	584,057
Female	48.8%
Male	5.2%
College graduation rate	29.24%
Political leaning	Republican 70-27
Crime index	18.39

Wyoming weather

Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Wyoming is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.

Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.

Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Wyoming aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.

Metric	Wyoming
Summer high	85ºF
Winter low	10ºF
Annual rain	13″
Annual snow	56″

Income and cost of living in Wyoming

A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Wyoming.

Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.

The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.

These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Wyoming and make a confident, informed decision about your move.

The main economic industries in the state include:

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction ($7.5 billion)
Real estate and rental and leasing ($4.3 billion)
Transportation and warehousing ($3.4 billion)
Manufacturing ($2.3 billion)
Retail trade ($2.1 billion)
Construction ($2.1 billion)
Professional and business services ($2 billion)
Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($1.9 billion)
Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($1.7 billion)
Wholesale trade ($1.5 billion)

Metric	Wyoming
Average rent cost	$1,100
Average home cost	$354,108
Average income (per capita)	$72,495
Cost of living index*	92
Unemployment rate	2.9%
Average sales tax	Not available
State income tax	0.0%

*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.

Top schools in Wyoming

If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.

Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Wyoming has to offer.

Here are some of the top schools in Wyoming:

University of Wyoming
WyoTech
Northwest College
Northern Wyoming Community College District
Laramie County Community College
Casper College
Central Wyoming College
Eastern Wyoming College
Western Wyoming Community College
University of Phoenix-Cheyenne Campus

Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Wyoming

We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.

If you’re planning on moving to the Equality State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.

Cost of moving to Wyoming

Before you take the leap to Wyoming, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.

The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.

To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.

Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.

But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.

Company	Quote	Rating
Safeway Moving	Get A Quote	4.9 / 5
Mayzlin Relocation	Get A Quote	4.9 / 5
BLVD Moving	Get A Quote	4.3 / 5
PODS	Get A Quote	4.8 / 5
American Van Lines	Get A Quote	4.5 / 5

Cost to bring your car to Wyoming

Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Wyoming.

Wyoming car insurance requirements

Wyoming auto insurance must provide at least $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 per accident for property damage. This ensures financial protection for drivers.

Wyoming drivers license requirements

New residents must get a Wyoming driver’s license from the Wyoming Department of Transportation within one year of moving to the state.

FAQ

Is it worth it to move to Wyoming?

Moving to Wyoming is worth it if you’re interested in popular attractions the state has to offer, enjoy the local weather, and the cost of living fits your budget. You should spend some time weighing all the pros and cons to determine if Wyoming is a good fit for you and your lifestyle.

How much money should I have to move to Wyoming?

On the cost of living index, Wyoming has a score of 92. You can use the cost of living index, based on a 100-point scale, to determine a state’s relative affordability. This cost of living index uses 100 as the baseline, so states with a number under 100 are less expensive, and states scoring over 100 are more expensive.

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Wyoming?

The average income in WY is $72,495, and the an unemployment rate is 2.9. Home prices are $354,108, on average, and monthly rent is typically around $1,100.

What is the downside of living in Wyoming?

Like any place, Wyoming has its drawbacks to consider before moving there.

The most common downsides of living in Equality State include:

Severe weather conditions
Remote
Lack of diversity
Lack of urbanization
No professional sports teams

Wyoming Moving Resources

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