Performance
Score Breakdown
Laramie
Danville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Danville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Laramie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laramie's average rent is
15% higher than Danville's.
| Metric | Laramie | Danville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,149 | $1,000 | +15% |
| Groceries | $377 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $352 | $229 | +54% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $138 | $250 | -45% |
| Monthly Total | $2,136 | $2,049 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Laramie offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Danville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laramie is estimated at
$31,776 vs $64,000 in Danville.
| Metric | Laramie | Danville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,136 | $63,871 |
| Salary Needed | $31,776 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,564 idx | 73,415 idx |
| Household Income | $55,613 | $44,423 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Laramie | Danville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 46.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laramie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Danville.
For walkability, Laramie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laramie | Danville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 26.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Danville is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Laramie.
From a growth perspective, Laramie 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 | Laramie | Danville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,511 | 41,493 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | % |
| Median Age | 26.9 | 40.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Danville
Advantages
Danville boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city is experiencing substantial economic development, including a $1.6 billion investment in a new manufacturing facility creating over 1,800 jobs.
Danville's housing market is highly affordable, with a housing affordability index of 138 in 2024, well above the state average.
The tourism sector in Danville is Virginia's fastest-growing, with visitor spending increasing by 23.5% in 2024.
Sovah Health Danville received an 'A' safety grade in Spring 2024, indicating high-quality care in specific medical procedures and conditions.
Drawbacks
Danville's overall population is projected to decline annually, primarily due to deaths outnumbering births, despite positive in-migration.
The city has a higher total crime index (145 in 2024) compared to the national average (100), indicating a greater prevalence of crime.
Danville is a car-dependent city, with a low Walk Score of 26, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The median household income in Danville ($44,423 in 2024) is significantly lower than the statewide median income.
Sovah Health Danville has an overall CMS hospital rating of 2 out of 5 stars as of April 2026, suggesting areas for improvement in overall quality despite good safety.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Laramie
#21Wyoming, USA
72.0 / 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
Danville
#49Virginia, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$63,871
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
75
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