City Comparison
Wheatland vs Riverton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Both cities score equally
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wheatland
Riverton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wheatland is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Riverton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wheatland's average rent is
26% lower than Riverton's.
| Metric | Wheatland | Riverton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,150 | -26% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,510 | $1,720 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wheatland offers 42% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wheatland is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Riverton.
| Metric | Wheatland | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $36,500 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $54,000 | $55,208 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Riverton comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Riverton sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wheatland | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 48.20°F |
| Summer High | 84.30°F | 85.90°F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | 15.20°F |
| Rainfall | 12.10 in | 9.80 in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | 24.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 297 | 314 |
| Humidity | 50.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Wheatland 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 | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Riverton is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Wheatland.
From a growth perspective, Riverton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wheatland has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wheatland | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,575 | 10,978 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.62% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.20% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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