Wyoming · WestAffordable CityUpdated May 2026

Cost of Living in Cheyenne, WY

By Sarah Chen · Reviewed by James Okafor · Updated May 2026

Detailed cost data for 62 topics across 6 categories — from rent and groceries to business startup costs and professional salaries.

Quick Compare — How Cheyenne stacks up
If you earnin, you'll need
$50,802
in Cheyenne, WY to match the same purchasing power
That's $49,198 (-49%) vs. New York
Full side-by-side →
Cost Index
95
5% below national average
100 = national baseline
65K
Population
$79K
Median Income
$1,118/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$3,621/mo
Living Cost (Single)

Direct Answer

Cheyenne, WY has a CostOfCity index of 95, which is 5% below the national baseline. Average modeled rent is $1,118/month and the single-adult living cost estimate is $3,621/month.

Cost index
95
Affordable City; 100 is national baseline
Population
65K
Official population benchmark
Median income
$79K
Official household income benchmark
Priority pages
9
Rent, salary, budget, vehicle, retirement, and comparisons
✍️ Reviewed by James Okafor, Editor-in-Chief & Consumer Finance Editor📅 Last verified: May 2026
BLSCensusHUD

How to Use This City Page

Start with rent and monthly budget, then compare salary-needed before making a relocation decision.
Use the cost index as a directional signal; neighborhood rent and commute costs can change the answer materially.
Review cheaper alternatives and nearby city comparisons if Cheyenne is above your target budget.
Use official/hybrid/model labels and the methodology page to understand where each estimate comes from.

Cost of Living in Cheyenne: The Full Picture

The cost of living in Cheyenne isn't a single number — it's a profile. Housing runs near the national norm. Services reflect a labor market where a labor market where supply roughly matches demand, keeping service prices near national benchmarks. And the climate — the dry climate is gentle on homes, but water scarcity adds hidden costs to landscaping, pool maintenance, and utility bills — adds its own cost layer. This page gives you the full picture, one category at a time.

B
Overall
B+
Housing
B
Food
B
Healthcare
B
Transport
B
Utilities

Cheyenne Cost Index by Category

Each bar shows how the Cheyenne cost index for that category compares to the US national baseline of 100.

Cost index vs national average — CheyenneCost-of-living index for Cheyenne versus the US national average (baseline 100). Cheyenne overall sits at 95.Cost Index vs U.S. AvgNational baseline = 10050100150Cheyenne OverallCheyenne Overall: index 95 (-5 vs national average)95 (-5)HousingHousing: index 89 (-11 vs national average)89 (-11)FoodFood: index 95 (-5 vs national average)95 (-5)HealthcareHealthcare: index 99 (-1 vs national average)99 (-1)TransportTransport: index 98 (-2 vs national average)98 (-2)UtilitiesUtilities: index 101 (+1 vs national average)101 (+1)ServicesServices: index 98 (-2 vs national average)98 (-2)
Each row shows the Cheyenne cost index for that category vs the national baseline of 100. Bars to the right of the dashed line indicate above-average costs; bars to the left, below-average.
💼 Economy

Cheyenne has a growing inland economy benefiting from coastal spillover without the coastal price tag

🏠 Housing

The housing market features a housing market that gives you more square footage per dollar than either coast

🌤️ Climate & Lifestyle

The dry climate is gentle on homes, but water scarcity adds hidden costs to landscaping, pool maintenance, and utility bills.. The lifestyle here is characterized by A laid-back lifestyle that masks some of the highest housing costs in the nation. The view is free — the rent is not..

💡 The Bottom Line

Cheyenne is genuinely affordable by American standards. A cost index of 95 translates to real, material savings on housing, services, and daily expenses compared to most metro areas.

💰 Purchasing Power in Cheyenne

$50K salary
≈ $53K
+$3K real value
$75K salary
≈ $79K
+$4K real value
$100K salary
≈ $105K
+$5K real value
$150K salary
≈ $158K
+$8K real value

Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Cheyenne, your dollar buys 5% more than the national average.

🔺 Where Cheyenne Costs More

🚿 Bathroom Remodel$15K+21%
⚖️ Workers Comp Lawyer$11K+19%
🏡 Home Insurance$3K+16%
🍺 Start a Bar$545K+14%
🏠 Start an Airbnb$31K+14%

🔽 Where Cheyenne Costs Less

Start a Coffee Shop$132K-30%
👶 Start a Daycare$39K-30%
🛒 Grocery Costs$321-29%
🐾 Pet Insurance$39-29%
🧺 Start a Laundromat$256K-27%

💰 Salary Landscape

🧮 Accountant Salary$82,440/yr+15%
🏘️ Real Estate Agent Salary$82,286/yr+6%
🦷 Dentist Salary$188,416/yr+5%
👩‍⚕️ Registered Nurse Salary$78,131/yr+4%
👮 Police Officer Salary$66,342/yr+4%
🔌 Electrician Salary$63,125/yr+1%
💻 Software Developer Salary$106,755/yr-3%📚 Teacher Salary$51,687/yr-6%
🔧 Plumber Salary$55,650/yr-7%
🏥 Physical Therapist Salary$70,210/yr-17%

vs national average · higher = better

Monthly Living Expenses in Cheyenne

What it actually costs to live in Cheyenne each month — from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.

LifestyleSingle PersonCoupleFamily of 4
🟡Tight / Frugal$2,100/mo$3,600/mo$4,750/mo
🟢Comfortable$3,350/mo$5,500/mo$7,150/mo
🟣Generous$5,250/mo$8,550/mo$11,400/mo

Estimates include housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending. Based on Cheyenne's cost index of 95 applied to national spending surveys.

🏘️ Neighborhood Cost Variation

Don't let the metro-wide numbers fool you — Cheyenne is a city of micro-markets. The most expensive ZIP codes can cost twice as much as the most affordable ones for identical services. Shop around by neighborhood and you'll find genuine pockets of value.

Cheyenne vs U.S. Average Cost of Living

Category-by-category affordability grades — based on deviation from the national average.

Grades: A+/A = very affordable · B = average · C/D = expensive · For salaries, higher = better

🏠 Home Services in Cheyenne

What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels

🏠

Roof Replacement

0%
$5K – $12K
vs nat'l avg: $9K
❄️

HVAC Installation

0%
$5K – $10K
vs nat'l avg: $7K
🔧

Plumbing Services

-18%
$143 – $368
vs nat'l avg: $313

Electrical Work

-9%
$181 – $452
vs nat'l avg: $350
🍳

Kitchen Remodel

+7%
$16K – $48K
vs nat'l avg: $30K
🚿

Bathroom Remodel

+21%
$7K – $22K
vs nat'l avg: $12K
🎨

House Painting

+8%
$3K – $8K
vs nat'l avg: $5K
🪵

Flooring Installation

-21%
$1K – $4K
vs nat'l avg: $3K
🌿

Landscaping

+8%
$2K – $5K
vs nat'l avg: $3K
🏗️

Fence Installation

-3%
$2K – $5K
vs nat'l avg: $4K
🪟

Window Replacement

+10%
$4K – $13K
vs nat'l avg: $8K
☀️

Solar Panel Installation

-1%
$15K – $35K
vs nat'l avg: $25K
🚿

Water Heater Replacement

+2%
$819 – $4K
vs nat'l avg: $2K
🏡

Deck Building

+6%
$5K – $21K
vs nat'l avg: $13K
🏊

Pool Installation

-7%
$23K – $74K
vs nat'l avg: $53K
🌳

Tree Removal

0%
$400 – $2K
vs nat'l avg: $1K
🚪

Garage Door Repair

-13%
$131 – $525
vs nat'l avg: $375

💼 Business Startup Costs in Cheyenne

Full startup cost breakdowns — from lease deposits to working capital

🍽️

Start a Restaurant

-24%
$133K – $572K
vs nat'l avg: $463K

Start a Coffee Shop

-30%
$56K – $209K
vs nat'l avg: $190K
🚚

Start a Food Truck

-26%
$37K – $148K
vs nat'l avg: $125K
💪

Start a Gym

-2%
$49K – $488K
vs nat'l avg: $275K
👶

Start a Daycare

-30%
$7K – $70K
vs nat'l avg: $55K
💇

Start a Hair Salon

-21%
$49K – $395K
vs nat'l avg: $281K
🧺

Start a Laundromat

-27%
$146K – $366K
vs nat'l avg: $350K
🍞

Start a Bakery

+10%
$11K – $221K
vs nat'l avg: $105K
🍺

Start a Bar

+14%
$125K – $965K
vs nat'l avg: $480K
🧹

Start a Cleaning Business

-2%
$2K – $29K
vs nat'l avg: $16K
🏠

Start an Airbnb

+14%
$6K – $57K
vs nat'l avg: $28K
🚛

Start a Trucking Business

-16%
$25K – $211K
vs nat'l avg: $140K

📊 Cost of Living in Cheyenne

Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities

🛡️ Insurance in Cheyenne

Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories

🚘

Car Insurance

-10%
$1K – $3K
vs nat'l avg: $2KDetails →
🏡

Home Insurance

+16%
$1K – $4K
vs nat'l avg: $2KDetails →
🏥

Health Insurance

-25%
$301 – $602
vs nat'l avg: $600Details →
💼

Business Insurance

-18%
$410 – $2K
vs nat'l avg: $2KDetails →
🛡️

Life Insurance

0%
$20 – $79
vs nat'l avg: $50
🏠

Renters Insurance

-14%
$13 – $35
vs nat'l avg: $28
🐾

Pet Insurance

-29%
$14 – $63
vs nat'l avg: $55
🦷

Dental Insurance

+13%
$17 – $69
vs nat'l avg: $38
🏍️

Motorcycle Insurance

+2%
$204 – $918
vs nat'l avg: $550

💰 Salaries & Jobs in Cheyenne

Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization

💻

Software Developer Salary

-3%
$106,755/yr
vs nat'l avg: $110K/yrDetails →
👩‍⚕️

Registered Nurse Salary

+4%
$78,131/yr
vs nat'l avg: $75K/yrDetails →
📚

Teacher Salary

-6%
$51,687/yr
vs nat'l avg: $55K/yrDetails →
🔌

Electrician Salary

+1%
$63,125/yr
vs nat'l avg: $63K/yr
🔧

Plumber Salary

-7%
$55,650/yr
vs nat'l avg: $60K/yr
🧮

Accountant Salary

+15%
$82,440/yr
vs nat'l avg: $72K/yr
🏥

Physical Therapist Salary

-17%
$70,210/yr
vs nat'l avg: $85K/yr
👮

Police Officer Salary

+4%
$66,342/yr
vs nat'l avg: $64K/yr
🦷

Dentist Salary

+5%
$188,416/yr
vs nat'l avg: $180K/yr
🏘️

Real Estate Agent Salary

+6%
$82,286/yr
vs nat'l avg: $78K/yr

How Much Income Do You Need in Cheyenne?

✅ Best For

  • Outdoor enthusiasts
  • Families seeking work-life balance
  • Small business founders
  • First-time homebuyers

⚠️ Not Ideal For

  • Those seeking big-city nightlife
  • Workers in niche industries with few local employers
💬 Expert Tip

Talk to current residents about hidden costs. The sticker savings are real — just factor in any commute or lifestyle adjustments. Local subreddits and Facebook groups are goldmines for this intel.

How Does Cheyenne Compare?

Pick a nearby city and see the full cost comparison across all 62 topics.

CostOfCity Value Index

D
Cheyenne Value Score: 37/100
Below Average
Affordability Ratio
1.94x
Stretched
Savings Potential
24%
of median income
Value Score
23/100
income-adjusted
Growth Risk
40/100
Stable costs

The CostOfCity Value Index combines cost-of-living data with median income, savings potential, and cost growth trends to produce a single score. Higher = better value for your money. Updated quarterly.

📦

Free Relocation Blueprint

Your complete moving budget for Cheyenne, WY

Monthly Budget
$2,386
Moving Costs
$2,000 – $4,500
Deposits Est.
$2,795
Cost Index
95
Median Income
$79K
Population
65K

Get a personalized PDF with first-month costs, 12-month cash projection, neighborhood tips, and a moving checklist — tailored to your household size and origin city.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cheyenne

Is Cheyenne, WY expensive to live in?

Cheyenne's cost of living index is 95, which is 5% below the national average of 100. Cheyenne is close to the national average in cost.

What are the most expensive cost categories in Cheyenne?

Like most US cities, housing is the single largest expense in Cheyenne, typically accounting for 30-40% of household budgets. Insurance and home services tend to be the next most variable categories, influenced by western climate conditions and state regulations.

Is Cheyenne a good place to start a business?

Cheyenne's business environment is shaped by WY's regulatory framework and local commercial real estate costs. Below-average operating costs give businesses more runway to reach profitability. Check our business startup cost data for specific figures.

Explore Cheyenne in Depth

🏠 Living Alone
Solo budget breakdown for Cheyenne
💰 Salary Needed
Minimum salary to live in Cheyenne
📊 Can I Afford It?
Budget check for Cheyenne
📋 Monthly Budget
Full monthly breakdown
🗺️ Wyoming Overview
Compare all cities in Wyoming

Nearby Cities to Compare

Compare Cheyenne Costs Nationally

See how Cheyenne ranks on major household and life expenses against 300+ US cities — cheapest to most expensive.

View all 18 cost categories →

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