City Comparison
Sheridan vs Powell
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Powell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sheridan
Powell
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Powell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Sheridan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sheridan's average rent is
32% higher than Powell's.
| Metric | Sheridan | Powell | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,185 | $1,830 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sheridan offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sheridan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sheridan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $45,000 in Powell.
| Metric | Sheridan | Powell |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 56,522 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $58,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, Powell comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sheridan sees 19.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sheridan | Powell |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.20°F | 46.90°F |
| Summer High | 80.20°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 10.80°F | 12.10°F |
| Rainfall | 22.20 in | 14.00 in |
| Snowfall | 52.40 in | 33.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 275 | 294 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 50.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Sheridan | Powell |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 22.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sheridan is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of Powell.
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 | Sheridan | Powell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,700 | 6,489 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.50% |
| 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.
Powell
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per FBI crime data.
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per US Census Bureau metrics.
Proximity to Yellowstone National Forest provides world-class outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Strong local educational framework anchored by Northwest College and dedicated public school districts.
Welcoming small-town community atmosphere with active local events and low traffic congestion.
Drawbacks
Limited local public transit options necessitate high car dependency for daily needs.
Geographic isolation means specialized shopping, major airports, and advanced medical centers require driving to larger cities.
Winter weather brings harsh freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall that can impact travel.
Limited high-paying corporate job sectors within city limits compared to larger metropolitan economies.
Housing inventory can occasionally be constrained for prospective buyers and renters.
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
Powell
#90Wyoming, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
294/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
78
Business
67
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