City Comparison
Sheridan vs Laramie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laramie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sheridan
Laramie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laramie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Sheridan.
| Metric | Sheridan | Laramie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,149 | +9% |
| Groceries | $420 | $377 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $352 | -50% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $138 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,185 | $2,136 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Laramie offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Laramie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sheridan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $31,776 in Laramie.
| Metric | Sheridan | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $65,136 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $31,776 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 68,564 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $55,613 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sheridan runs warmer on average — a 46.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sheridan comes out ahead with 275 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sheridan sees 52.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sheridan | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 10.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 52.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 275 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 46.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | Sheridan | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Laramie is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Sheridan.
From a growth perspective, Sheridan 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 | Sheridan | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,700 | 32,511 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 26.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
Laramie
#17Wyoming, USA
73.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,149
Avg Salary
$65,136
Cost Index
95
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
2.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Sheridan and Laramie.
Open Cost Calculator