Salary Needed to Live in Laramie as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $62,793/year to live comfortably in Laramie, WY, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $62,793/year to live comfortably in Laramie, WY. The bare-minimum salary is $52,471/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,713.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,192/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,233/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$62,793
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$52,471
$4,373/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,192
28% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Laramie
| Expense | Laramie | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $786 | $1,641 | -52% |
| Groceries | $320 | $320 | 0% |
| Utilities | $187 | $225 | -17% |
| Transportation | $299 | $421 | -29% |
| Car Insurance | $181 | $215 | -16% |
| Health Insurance | $512 | $642 | -20% |
| Internet | $61 | $65 | -6% |
| Phone (x2) | $132 | $140 | -6% |
| Dining & Social | $423 | $450 | -6% |
| Entertainment | $169 | $180 | -6% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $122 | $130 | -6% |
| Total Monthly | $3,192 | $4,429 | -28% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,192
Target savings (12%):$521/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,713
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$62,793
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$786
1-2BR Apartment rent is 25% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus WY state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$521/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
94/100
Laramie is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $786/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $907/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $52,471/year as the survival floor and $62,793/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Laramie
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Laramie?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $62,793/year ($5,233/month gross) to live comfortably in Laramie with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Laramie?
A 1-2br apartment in Laramie costs approximately $786/month, which is the largest single expense at 25% of the total budget.
Is Laramie affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Laramie is 28% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).