City Comparison
Riverton vs Laramie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laramie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Riverton
Laramie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Riverton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Laramie.
| Metric | Riverton | Laramie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,149 | 0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $377 | +6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $352 | -52% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $138 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $2,136 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Laramie offers 44% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Riverton is estimated at
$45,000 vs $31,776 in Laramie.
| Metric | Riverton | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $36,500 | $65,136 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $31,776 |
| Household Income | $55,208 | $55,613 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Riverton runs warmer on average — a 48.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Riverton comes out ahead with 314 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Riverton sees 24.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Riverton | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 9.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 314 | |
| Humidity | % | 46.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Riverton | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Laramie is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Riverton.
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 | Riverton | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,978 | 32,511 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.62% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 26.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 2.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
Riverton
#50Wyoming, USA
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$36,500
Cost Index
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
314/yr
Avg Temp
48.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.62%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
55
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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