City Comparison
Riverton vs Sheridan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sheridan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Riverton
Sheridan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Riverton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Sheridan.
| Metric | Riverton | Sheridan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,250 | -8% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $0 | $110 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $230 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $2,185 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sheridan offers 37% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Riverton is estimated at
$45,000 vs $50,000 in Sheridan.
| Metric | Riverton | Sheridan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $36,500 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $50,000 |
| Household Income | $55,208 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Riverton comes out ahead with 39 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sheridan sees 27.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Riverton | Sheridan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.20°F | 46.20°F |
| Summer High | 85.90°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 15.20°F | 10.80°F |
| Rainfall | 9.80 in | 22.20 in |
| Snowfall | 24.50 in | 52.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 314 | 275 |
| Humidity | % | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Sheridan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sheridan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Riverton | Sheridan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | — | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sheridan is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Riverton.
From a growth perspective, Sheridan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sheridan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Riverton | Sheridan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,978 | 18,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.62% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
Sheridan
Advantages
Wyoming has no state income tax, allowing residents to retain a larger share of their earnings.
Stunning proximity to the Bighorn Mountains offers world-class hiking, skiing, and fishing.
Crime rates in Sheridan are significantly lower than the national average.
A thriving historic downtown features local galleries, breweries, and the historic WYO Theater.
Friendly, community-oriented atmosphere with strong local civic engagement.
Drawbacks
Winters are long, cold, and bring significant snowfall averaging over 50 inches annually.
Housing inventory can be limited, putting upward pressure on local home prices and rents.
Limited public transportation options require residents to rely heavily on personal vehicles.
Geographic isolation means major metropolitan shopping and entertainment are hours away.
Job market diversity is narrower compared to larger urban centers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Riverton
#178Wyoming, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$36,500
Cost Index
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
314/yr
Avg Temp
48.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.62%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
55
Sheridan
#108Wyoming, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
275/yr
Avg Temp
46.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
80
Business
70
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