City Comparison
Gillette vs Laramie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laramie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gillette
Laramie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gillette is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Laramie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gillette's average rent is
100% lower than Laramie's.
| Metric | Gillette | Laramie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,149 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $377 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $352 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $138 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,136 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Laramie offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Gillette | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $65,136 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $31,776 |
| Household Income | $81,316 | $55,613 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gillette runs warmer on average — a 47.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gillette comes out ahead with 279 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gillette sees 38.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gillette | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 38.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 46.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laramie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Gillette.
Laramie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Laramie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gillette | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gillette is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Gillette is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Laramie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gillette | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,431 | 32,511 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 26.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gillette
Advantages
Affordable housing compared to national averages, with a median home value of $264,500 in 2024.
Strong job market driven by the energy sector, with major employers like Peabody Energy and Arch Coal.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities in the surrounding natural landscapes.
Close-knit community with a friendly atmosphere and strong community spirit.
Lower cost of living and lower violent crime rate compared to national averages.
Drawbacks
Economy heavily reliant on the volatile energy sector, subject to boom-and-bust cycles.
Limited public transportation options, with a car-dependent culture.
Harsh winter weather conditions.
Fewer cultural and entertainment amenities compared to larger cities.
Crime rate is higher than 92% of Wyoming's cities and towns.
Laramie
Advantages
The cost of living in Laramie is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and groceries.
Laramie has a violent crime rate significantly below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The city offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
There are abundant outdoor activities available, including hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing, due to its proximity to mountains and forests.
Commute times are significantly shorter than the national average, at only 13 minutes.
Drawbacks
Childcare and dining out costs can be more expensive in Laramie compared to the national average.
Some residents may need to travel to larger cities for specialized medical care or extensive shopping options.
Despite growth, Laramie can still feel somewhat isolated, with a "middle of nowhere" feel for some.
The median household income in Laramie is lower than the national average.
The housing market, while affordable, has seen a slight decrease in median home prices in early 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Gillette
#12Wyoming, USA
70.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
47.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Laramie
#5Wyoming, USA
74.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,149
Avg Salary
$65,136
Cost Index
95
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
2.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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