City Comparison
Douglas vs Wheatland
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Douglas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Douglas
Wheatland
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wheatland is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Douglas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Douglas's average rent is
29% higher than Wheatland's.
| Metric | Douglas | Wheatland | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $850 | +29% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,995 | $1,510 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Douglas offers 19% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Douglas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Douglas is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Wheatland.
| Metric | Douglas | Wheatland |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,957 idx | 59,091 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $54,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wheatland comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Douglas sees 6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Douglas | Wheatland |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.40°F | 50.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.60°F | 84.30°F |
| Winter Low | 17.50°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 14.80 in | 12.10 in |
| Snowfall | 26.90 in | 20.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 281 | 297 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 50.00% |
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 | Wheatland |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 15.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Douglas is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Wheatland.
From a growth perspective, Douglas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Douglas | Wheatland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,386 | 3,575 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Wheatland
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the US national average.
Extremely low crime rates provide a safe, secure environment for families and retirees.
Proximity to outdoor recreation, including Glendo State Park and excellent fishing and hunting grounds.
Strong community spirit and tight-knit rural culture with active local engagement.
Short local commute times with virtually no heavy traffic congestion.
Drawbacks
Limited local job diversification outside of agriculture, government, and healthcare.
Harsh winter weather conditions with potential for heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Limited public transportation infrastructure, making personal vehicle ownership mandatory.
Fewer options for dining, arts, entertainment, and shopping within town limits.
Specialized healthcare and advanced medical treatments require travel to larger cities.
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
Wheatland
#178Wyoming, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
297/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Douglas and Wheatland.
Open Cost Calculator