CostOfCity

Laramie vs Greeley: Full Cost Comparison

Side-by-side cost comparison across 38 categories. Updated March 2026.

WY
Laramie
94
Cost Index
Pop: 33KIncome: $40K
VS
4% diff
CO
Greeley
98
Cost Index
Pop: 109KIncome: $56K
More Affordable
Laramie
Laramie Wins
24/38
Greeley Wins
14/38
Topics
38

Choosing between Laramie and Greeley? You're not alone — it's one of the most common relocation comparisons in the US. The numbers tell a clear story: Laramie comes in 4% more affordable overall, with a cost index of 94 compared to Greeley's 98. But raw numbers only tell part of the story. This comparison breaks down exactly where each city saves you money — and where it costs more.

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Key Cost Comparisons

Roof ReplacementLaramie saves $513
Laramie
$9,315
Greeley
$9,828
Start a RestaurantGreeley saves $21,043
Laramie
$464,234
Greeley
$443,191
Cost of LivingGreeley saves $53
Laramie
$3,877
Greeley
$3,824
Rent PricesGreeley saves $263
Laramie
$2,313
Greeley
$2,050
Car InsuranceGreeley saves $203
Laramie
$2,175
Greeley
$1,972
Software Developer Salary (higher = better)Laramie pays $28,864 more
Laramie
$120,351
Greeley
$91,487

Cost of Living

Laramie: 3Greeley: 2
CategoryLaramieGreeleyDiffWinner
Cost of Living$3,877$3,8241%Greeley (lower cost)
Rent Prices$2,313$2,05011%Greeley (lower cost)
Grocery Costs$376$45618%Laramie (lower cost)
Utility Costs$234$27916%Laramie (lower cost)
Transportation Costs$299$45134%Laramie (lower cost)

Home Services

Laramie: 6Greeley: 4
CategoryLaramieGreeleyDiffWinner
Roof Replacement$9,315$9,8285%Laramie (lower cost)
HVAC Installation$6,577$7,81116%Laramie (lower cost)
Plumbing Services$332$3242%Greeley (lower cost)
Electrical Work$264$31215%Laramie (lower cost)
Kitchen Remodel$25,566$30,02715%Laramie (lower cost)
Bathroom Remodel$13,418$13,9574%Laramie (lower cost)
House Painting$4,633$4,5881%Greeley (lower cost)
Flooring Installation$3,280$3,0228%Greeley (lower cost)
Landscaping$2,877$4,21932%Laramie (lower cost)
Fence Installation$4,419$3,81814%Greeley (lower cost)

Business Startup Costs

Laramie: 7Greeley: 3
CategoryLaramieGreeleyDiffWinner
Start a Restaurant$464,234$443,1915%Greeley (lower cost)
Start a Coffee Shop$137,912$156,07612%Laramie (lower cost)
Start a Food Truck$123,400$122,8630%Greeley (lower cost)
Start a Gym$305,016$268,27612%Greeley (lower cost)
Start a Daycare$48,513$55,98213%Laramie (lower cost)
Start a Hair Salon$217,340$283,29023%Laramie (lower cost)
Start a Laundromat$302,838$375,11319%Laramie (lower cost)
Start a Bakery$87,906$98,53211%Laramie (lower cost)
Start a Bar$326,184$388,24916%Laramie (lower cost)
Start a Cleaning Business$11,874$13,33111%Laramie (lower cost)

Insurance

Laramie: 3Greeley: 1
CategoryLaramieGreeleyDiffWinner
Car Insurance$2,175$1,9729%Greeley (lower cost)
Home Insurance$1,876$2,70931%Laramie (lower cost)
Health Insurance$512$5181%Laramie (lower cost)
Business Insurance$1,681$2,04318%Laramie (lower cost)

Salaries & Jobs

Laramie: 3Greeley: 2
CategoryLaramieGreeleyDiffWinner
Software Developer Salary$120,351/yr$91,487/yr24%Laramie (higher pay)
Registered Nurse Salary$80,216/yr$71,051/yr11%Laramie (higher pay)
Teacher Salary$59,340/yr$63,652/yr7%Greeley (higher pay)
Electrician Salary$73,303/yr$61,028/yr17%Laramie (higher pay)
Plumber Salary$63,891/yr$69,027/yr7%Greeley (higher pay)

Who Benefits From Each City?

The "better" city depends on your situation. Here's how different profiles stack up:

💻

Remote Worker

Laramie

If your salary doesn't depend on location, Laramie's 4% lower costs translate directly into more savings or disposable income. Your paycheck goes further without a pay cut.

🚀

Young Professional

Laramie

Both cities are moderately priced, but Laramie's lower costs help you build savings earlier in your career when compound growth matters most.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family with Kids

Laramie

Families face multiplied costs — housing, groceries, healthcare, and transportation all scale with household size. Laramie's 4% advantage compounds across every budget category.

🏪

Small Business Owner

Laramie

Lower operating costs in Laramie mean lower break-even points. Rent, utilities, insurance, and labor all come in cheaper, giving new businesses more runway to reach profitability.

🏖️

Retiree

Laramie

On a fixed income, every percentage point matters. Laramie's lower healthcare, housing, and everyday costs help retirement savings last longer.

The Verdict

Laramie is 4% more affordable overall

Laramie wins 24 out of 38 cost categories.Greeley has higher costs but wins 14 categories.

Laramie
94
Greeley
98

Explore Each City

Laramie, WY
Pop: 33K | Index: 94
View all costs →
Greeley, CO
Pop: 109K | Index: 98
View all costs →

Explore Specific Costs

Dive deeper into specific cost topics for each city:

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I move from Greeley to Laramie?

If your income stays the same or comparable, moving from Greeley to Laramie gives you 4% more purchasing power. That said, the decision depends on career opportunities, family ties, lifestyle preferences, and which specific costs matter most to your household. Review the category breakdown above to see which line items shift the most.

How do housing costs compare between Laramie and Greeley?

Housing is typically the biggest cost difference between these cities. Laramie (index: 94) and Greeley (index: 98) differ by 4% overall, with housing costs often diverging even more than the average. Check the Cost of Living section above for specific figures.

Is Laramie or Greeley more affordable in 2026?

Laramie is 4% more affordable than Greeley overall. Laramie wins 24 out of 38 cost categories. However, Greeley may offer higher salaries in certain industries that can offset higher living costs.

What is the cost of living index for Laramie vs Greeley?

Laramie's cost of living index is 94; Greeley's is 98. A score of 100 represents the national average. Laramie is below average; Greeley is below average. These figures are derived from BLS and Census data.

About This Comparison

Data SourcesBLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, Census Bureau ACS, HUD Fair Market Rent data, BLS OEWS (salary data), and regional industry surveys.
MethodologyEach city's costs are derived from national averages adjusted by city-specific cost-of-living indices. Category-specific sensitivity factors account for varying price elasticity across topic areas.
ConfidenceMEDIUMModel-derived estimates, not direct price surveys

Limitations: This comparison uses modeled data based on cost-of-living indices. Actual costs may vary based on neighborhood, timing, provider, and individual circumstances. Salary data reflects median full-time employment; contract and freelance rates differ. Last updated: March 2026.

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