City Comparison
Douglas vs Rock Springs
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Douglas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Douglas
Rock Springs
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rock Springs is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
58% lower than in Douglas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Douglas's average rent is
30% higher than Rock Springs's.
| Metric | Douglas | Rock Springs | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $846 | +30% |
| Groceries | $380 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,995 | $846 | +136% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Douglas offers similar average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Douglas is estimated at
$48,000 vs $33,840 in Rock Springs.
| Metric | Douglas | Rock Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $33,840 |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $69,168 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Douglas runs warmer on average — a 48.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Douglas comes out ahead with 281 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Douglas sees 26.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Douglas | Rock Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 281 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 83.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Douglas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Rock Springs.
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 | Rock Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rock Springs is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Douglas.
From a growth perspective, Douglas 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 | Rock Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,386 | 23,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.9 |
| 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.
Rock Springs
Advantages
Affordable housing market with a median home value around $256,200.
Lower average rent for apartments compared to the national average, with 1-bedroom apartments averaging $846/month.
Shorter average commute times of 22.5 minutes compared to the national average.
Access to outdoor recreation, including Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
A strong sense of community rooted in a diverse historical immigrant population.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with low walkability and transit scores (Walk Score of 26).
Conflicting reports on crime rates, with some indicating rates higher than the national average.
Limited amenities and potentially lower quality of life scores in certain categories.
Population is projected to decline slightly annually.
No reliable data found for average individual salary or unemployment rate for the city.
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
Rock Springs
#318Wyoming, USA
60.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$846
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
95
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
65
Business
60
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