City Comparison
Douglas vs Riverton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Douglas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Douglas
Riverton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Riverton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Douglas.
| Metric | Douglas | Riverton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,150 | -4% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,995 | $1,720 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Douglas offers 70% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Douglas is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Riverton.
| Metric | Douglas | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $36,500 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $55,208 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Riverton comes out ahead with 33 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Douglas sees 2.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Douglas | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.40°F | 48.20°F |
| Summer High | 81.60°F | 85.90°F |
| Winter Low | 17.50°F | 15.20°F |
| Rainfall | 14.80 in | 9.80 in |
| Snowfall | 26.90 in | 24.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 281 | 314 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Douglas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Douglas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Douglas | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Riverton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Douglas.
From a growth perspective, Riverton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Douglas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Douglas | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,386 | 10,978 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.62% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Douglas
Advantages
No state personal income tax in Wyoming, providing financial relief for residents.
Proximity to scenic outdoor destinations like Ayres Natural Bridge Park and the North Platte River.
Low violent crime rates and a secure, family-friendly community environment.
Presence of Memorial Hospital of Converse County ensuring accessible local healthcare.
Host of the annual Wyoming State Fair, offering vibrant community culture and traditions.
Drawbacks
Economy is sensitive to cyclical fluctuations in the energy and mining sectors.
Limited public transportation infrastructure, making a personal vehicle essential.
Colder winter conditions and seasonal weather extremes require preparation.
Limited local options for high-end retail, major dining chains, and entertainment.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan centers and large airports.
Riverton
Advantages
The average rent in Riverton is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
The median home sale price of $240,000 in August 2026 is considerably below the national average, offering value for homebuyers.
Riverton boasts 314 sunny days annually, providing ample opportunity for outdoor activities.
The average commute time is a short 14.5 minutes, reducing daily travel stress for residents.
New healthcare facilities, such as River Peak Health, are being established, indicating an improvement in healthcare access and services.
Drawbacks
Specific data for unemployment rate, transit score, and walkability score for Riverton is not readily available, indicating potential gaps in public services or data collection.
The economy, while stable, is concentrated in a few sectors (Healthcare, Education, Retail), which might limit job diversity and growth opportunities outside these areas.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transportation options, which could be a drawback for those without personal vehicles.
Detailed, recent crime rate data (2024 or later) to accurately assess safety is not publicly available.
While the cost of living is low, the average individual salary is also modest compared to the national GDP per capita, requiring careful financial planning.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Douglas
#151Wyoming, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
281/yr
Avg Temp
48.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
74
Business
67
Riverton
#178Wyoming, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$36,500
Cost Index
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
314/yr
Avg Temp
48.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.62%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
55
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