Study: Best Cities to Live in Wyoming

Deciding where to hang up your ten-gallon hat can be challenging, whether you're a newcomer or a native Wyomingite. To help you in your search for a new hometown, the CreditDonkey team has put together a list of the state's 10 best places to call home.

Wyoming is known as the place where the buffalo still roam, but there's much more to explore than just rolling plains and amber waves of grain. While tourists flock to the Cowboy State for the world-class skiing at Jackson Hole and the raw beauty of Yellowstone, thousands of new residents arrive each year in search of peace, quiet and plenty of fresh air.

Larger cities like Cheyenne and Casper attract their fair share of young professionals and families while places like Green River and Sheridan are hotspots for retirees.

10 Best Cities to Live in Wyoming

Study Methodology

Each city is ranked based on the following:

1. Crime Rate
   
2. Commute Time
   
3. Income
   
4. Education
   
5. Restaurants Per Capita

One of the things that attracts new residents to Wyoming is its overall safety. Each city in our study is ranked based on the odds of being the victim of a violent crime. The majority of the spots we've profiled boast safety ratings that are much better than the national average.

For each city on our list, we considered the average commute time to find out where the commute to work is the shortest.

Moves are often motivated by the possibility of a new job opportunity, but it may not pay off if you end up making less money. We looked at the median household incomes for each city in our study to pinpoint those locations where wages are highest. We also considered the overall educational attainment for each city, based on the percentage of residents who earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

Traditional Wyoming cuisine is heavily influenced by Native American traditions and old-fashioned cowboy cooking. Lamb stew, buffalo chili and huckleberry pancakes are just a few of things you'll want to try. For our study, we looked at the number of restaurants per capita to find those spots with the most varied dining choices.

10. Rock Springs

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 264.8
  
• Commute Time: 18.8 minutes
  
• Income: $71,289
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 17.4%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 437 inhabitants

Rock Springs is an important site of energy production thanks to an abundance of oil and natural gas. Residents here earn a sweet payday, with median incomes topping $71,000. Just north of the city, the Killpecker Sand Dunes provide hours of fun for off-road enthusiasts. To the south is the Flaming Gorge reservoir, considered a national fishing hotspot. Ribs and steak are always on the menu, served up just the way you like at places like the White Mountain Mining Company.

Did You Know: Following an influx of immigrants who came seeking jobs in the booming coal mining industry, Rock Springs became known as the "House of 56 Nationalities."

9. Casper

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 660.5
  
• Commute Time: 17.1 minutes
  
• Income: $54,914
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 23.9%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 470 inhabitants

One of Wyoming's larger cities, Casper styles itself as the state's "Adventure Capital," with places like Casper Mountain and the North Platte River attracting avid skiers, boaters, campers and rock climbers. If the outdoors aren't your thing, there's always a celebration going on, like the annual Beartrap Summer Music Festival or the Casper Mountain Sled Dog races. Museums, parks, art galleries, shops and restaurants round out the city, giving it a modern urban feel without any of the hassles that go along with living in a larger metro area.

Did You Know: Casper began as a boom town after black gold was discovered at the nearby Salt Creek Oil Field, once the largest producing oil field in the world.

8. Gillette

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 784.6
  
• Commute Time: 17.3 minutes
  
• Income: $72,525
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 18.2%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 640 inhabitants

Nestled in the far northeast corner of Wyoming, Gillette may be one of the state's best kept secrets. Mining is the primary industry here, earning the city a reputation as one of the nation's energy capitals. Gillette's residents are the top earners on our list, pulling in a median income of more than $72,000 annually. With an unemployment rate that's well below the state and national average and a relatively low cost of living, it's no wonder Gillette is one of the state's fastest growing towns.

Did You Know: The nearby Powder River Valley once produced approximately one-third of the nation's coal supply.

7. Lander

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 853.4
  
• Commute Time: 18 minutes
  
• Income: $50,914
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 29.5%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 274 inhabitants

If you're ready to break in your spurs and experience what life is like on a real dude ranch, saddle up and head to Lander. A popular tourist town, Lander is the smallest city in our study and one of the oldest communities in Wyoming. Along with tourism, ranching and farming play important roles in the local economy. The Coalter Block area on downtown Main Street is where you'll find many of Lander's restaurants, including Cowfish and the Gannett Grill.

Did You Know: Sacajawea, who served as a guide for explorers Lewis and Clark, was buried at Fort Washakie on the nearby Wind River Indian Reservation in 1884.

6. Sheridan

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 683.5
  
• Commute Time: 12.9 minutes
  
• Income: $46,814
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 23%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 328 inhabitants

Situated at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, Sheridan's fabled history makes it one of the state's top spots for soaking up authentic cowboy culture. The downtown area is where you'll find up-and-coming businesses rubbing elbows with places like The Mint Bar, a saloon dating back to 1907. History comes alive at events like the First People's Pow Wow and the WYO Rodeo, Wyoming's second largest rodeo. If you're looking for a smaller town overflowing with Old West charm, Sheridan is our top pick.

Did You Know: One of the historic Sheridan Inn's most famous guests was Buffalo Bill Cody, who used the hotel's porch to audition performers for his famous "Wild West Show."

5. Laramie

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 934.3
  
• Commute Time: 11.3 minutes
  
• Income: $36,940
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 49.9%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 453 inhabitants

While it's got plenty of modern conveniences, living in Laramie is a little like stepping back in time. Home to the University of Wyoming, this city of nearly 32,000 people ranks number one for the shortest average commute and the largest percentage of college-educated residents. There are a number of shops and restaurants to choose from but if you can't find something you're looking for, Cheyenne is roughly 50 miles away.

Did You Know: One of Laramie's premier attractions is the Wyoming Territorial Prison and State Park, which once housed famous outlaws like notorious bank and train robber Butch Cassidy.

4. Evanston

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 2,492
  
• Commute Time: 15.8 minutes
  
• Income: $53,813
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 21.2%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 396 inhabitants

If safety is what you desire most in a hometown, Evanston offers the peace of mind you're looking for. With a violent crime rate of 1 in nearly 2,500, Evanston is the safest city in our rankings. Part of the Bear River Valley, this quaint little town offers scenic views of the Uinta Mountains along with ample opportunities for hiking, biking, camping and kayaking. The Greenway is one of the city's most popular outdoor recreation areas, featuring miles of nature trails to explore and live elk on display at Bear River State Park.

Did You Know: The last intact Roundhouse on the original Union Pacific Railroad line is found in Evanston.

3. Cheyenne

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 435.5
  
• Commute Time: 13.1 minutes
  
• Income: $52,448
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 24.5%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 485 inhabitants

Cheyenne got its start in the late 1860s, when the Union Pacific Railroad came chugging along on its way to the Pacific Coast. Although it started small, today Wyoming's capital city is also its largest, with just over 61,000 residents. Warren Air Force Base is the city's top employer, followed by the state government. If you're in the mood for a great burger, 2 Doors Down is a local favorite while Poor Richard's offers a more upscale dining experience.

Did You Know: The annual Cheyenne Frontier Days is the world's largest outdoor rodeo and Western event.

2. Cody

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 576.1
  
• Commute Time: 11.6 minutes
  
• Income: $46,461
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 25.8%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 262 inhabitants

Located approximately 50 miles from the park's east entrance, Cody is regarded as a gateway to Yellowstone, but residents know that you don't have to go far to find something to do. Founded by Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the city's past remains a central part of its present, with numerous attractions devoted to memorializing its Wild West history. Rafting, ice climbing and camping are popular pursuits but you can also spend a day on a local ranch or check out the wildlife along one of the area's touring routes.

Did You Know: Esteemed Lakota chief Sitting Bull and sharpshooter Annie Oakley were two of the most famous members of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show.

1. Jackson

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 246.3
  
• Commute Time: 13.6 minutes
  
• Income: $53,974
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 39.2%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 131 inhabitants

Part of the Jackson Hole Valley, Jackson earns the top spot on our list as the best place to live in Wyoming. Although fewer than 10,000 people call it home, Jackson sees a steady stream of visitors who come to test the powder on Snow King Mountain and get an up close view of the peaks at Grand Teton National Park. The National Elk Refuge just outside of Jackson serves as a wintering ground for migrating herds of elk and bison, while nearby Yellowstone provides an opportunity to view even more of the local wildlife. Home prices are on the higher end but if you're looking for a city that offers a variety attractions, higher median incomes and spectacular views, it doesn't get any better than Jackson.

Did You Know: The city of Jackson is surrounded on all sides by different mountain ranges.

Wyoming is where the past meets the present and rich Western traditions blend with modern innovations. The unique communities we've included in our study represent the best of both city and country living, making each of them an ideal place to kick up your heels.

Data Sources:

• U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates
  
• FBI, Uniform Crime Reports
  
• U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
  
• U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census