City Comparison
Wheatland vs Laramie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laramie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wheatland
Laramie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wheatland is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Laramie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wheatland's average rent is
26% lower than Laramie's.
| Metric | Wheatland | Laramie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,149 | -26% |
| Groceries | $380 | $377 | +1% |
| Utilities | $170 | $352 | -52% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $138 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,510 | $2,136 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Laramie offers 20% 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 Wheatland is estimated at
$45,000 vs $31,776 in Laramie.
| Metric | Wheatland | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,136 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $31,776 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 68,564 idx |
| Household Income | $54,000 | $55,613 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wheatland runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wheatland comes out ahead with 297 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wheatland sees 20.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wheatland | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 12.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 297 | |
| Humidity | 50.00% | 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, Wheatland leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wheatland | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Laramie is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Wheatland.
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 | Wheatland | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,575 | 32,511 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 26.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 2.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wheatland
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the US national average.
Extremely low crime rates provide a safe, secure environment for families and retirees.
Proximity to outdoor recreation, including Glendo State Park and excellent fishing and hunting grounds.
Strong community spirit and tight-knit rural culture with active local engagement.
Short local commute times with virtually no heavy traffic congestion.
Drawbacks
Limited local job diversification outside of agriculture, government, and healthcare.
Harsh winter weather conditions with potential for heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Limited public transportation infrastructure, making personal vehicle ownership mandatory.
Fewer options for dining, arts, entertainment, and shopping within town limits.
Specialized healthcare and advanced medical treatments require travel to larger cities.
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.
Wheatland
#178Wyoming, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
297/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
60
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
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