Income, cost of living, and safety statistics are important things to consider when choosing a place to live but if you really want to know which towns are the best, just ask the residents. They live, work, and play 24/7/365 in their cities, so they can give you the scoop on why they choose to stay.
Truthfully, many Wyoming towns get high marks from the residents, and the awesome Wyoming outdoors is practically a given, but these are the 10 towns that rate the best with the folks who live in them.
- Laramie
Jim Maurer/Flickr Having three higher education institutions - the University of Wyoming, Laramie Community College, and the Wyoming Technical Institute - located in Laramie is a huge factor in the town’s top spot on the list of best places to live in Wyoming. Not only do they support the economic base of the community, but they also influence the urban culture that so many residents enjoy. The town is rich in history and historical architecture and has an excellent selection of restaurants, microbreweries, and an eclectic collection of shops.
- Jackson
Al_HikesAZ/Flickr First off, yes, housing is expensive in Jackson. Everyone who weighed in on this little Wyoming town readily agrees to that fact. However, for those who love it, the ample pluses outweigh that negative enough to keep them there. The job opportunities in Jackson are plentiful, the schools are good, and crime is practically non-existent. National parks and skiing are right there in Jackson’s backyard, and the shopping and dining can’t be beat. Plus, the town itself is downright enchanting.
- Cody
Alex Proimos/Flickr People who live in Cody love that it offers them the best of both worlds. Opportunities for outdoor sports such as fishing, hiking, camping, rafting, and rock climbing are plentiful, but with museums, restaurants, live music, art galleries, and upscale shopping, there are just as many urban activities to enjoy. What’s more, Cody is notable for having a home-town feel and friendly residents.
- Sheridan
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr The Sheridan community feels like family, and that’s what many residents like most about the quaint little town. It’s over 100 miles away from a “big city,” but with top-notch medical facilities, ample shopping, terrific restaurants, beautiful parks, a college, and the scenic Big Horn Mountain Range nearby, Sheridan residents have everything they could want or need.
- Lander
Show Us Your Togwotee/Flickr Lander is definitely one of the coolest little towns in or outside Wyoming, so it’s no surprise that people love living there. As close as it is to Sinks Canyon and Yellowstone, Lander attracts people who love the outdoors. It’s got a liberal arts college, some amazing locally-owned eateries and microbreweries, and friendly folks that give it true small-town authenticity.
- Cheyenne
Larry Jacobsen/Flickr Yep, the state’s capitol is one of the best towns to live in Wyoming, and we couldn’t agree more. It may be considered a “small town” when measured against other state capitols, but Cheyenne makes up for it with tons to do all year long starting with the legendary Frontier Days in July each year. Plus, in addition to the historic Capitol Building and the Governor’s Mansion, there’s the county fair, art shows, festivals, botanical gardens, museums, a community college, shops, breweries, and restaurants.
- Kemmerer
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr The tiny town of Kemmerer is jam-packed with Wyoming history such as historic trails, the railroad, and coal mining. It’s where the J.C. Penney “mother” store is located, and the Fossil Butte National monument is a short 15-minute drive away. People living in Kemmerer love the small-town feel and say it’s the best place ever to raise a family.
- Powell
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Residents in Powell love that it’s a small town, and people who settle there appreciate the outdoorsy, nature-oriented things to do. Fishing, camping, and hiking are among the top activities, but there’s also an awesome brew-pub in Powell in addition to assorted restaurants. Plus, it happens to be another of the five college towns that are considered the best places to live in Wyoming.
- Evanston
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Evanston balances being a small town with its proximity to larger cities - if Rock Springs (about an hour and a half west) isn’t big enough for you, Salt Lake City, Utah is nearly as close (an hour and 20 minute-drive south). People living in Evanston like the friendly, small-town atmosphere and that biking, skiing, camping, hiking, and other outdoor fun is just outside their back doors. They even enjoy wildlife watching and the fact that you don’t necessarily have to leave the city limits because the animals often trek through town.
- Worland
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr The priorities on Worland residents’ lists are small town living and the great Wyoming outdoors. Access to ample hunting and fishing comes right after Worland being a great place to raise kids. It’s been rated one of the safest cities in the state. The Washakie Museum and Cultural Center is located there, and with plenty of shopping, good schools, and a selection of dining choices, it’s no wonder Worland is included on the list of best places to live in Wyoming.
Did your Wyoming town make the list? What do you love about the one you live in?
Jim Maurer/Flickr
Having three higher education institutions - the University of Wyoming, Laramie Community College, and the Wyoming Technical Institute - located in Laramie is a huge factor in the town’s top spot on the list of best places to live in Wyoming. Not only do they support the economic base of the community, but they also influence the urban culture that so many residents enjoy. The town is rich in history and historical architecture and has an excellent selection of restaurants, microbreweries, and an eclectic collection of shops.
Al_HikesAZ/Flickr
First off, yes, housing is expensive in Jackson. Everyone who weighed in on this little Wyoming town readily agrees to that fact. However, for those who love it, the ample pluses outweigh that negative enough to keep them there. The job opportunities in Jackson are plentiful, the schools are good, and crime is practically non-existent. National parks and skiing are right there in Jackson’s backyard, and the shopping and dining can’t be beat. Plus, the town itself is downright enchanting.
Alex Proimos/Flickr
People who live in Cody love that it offers them the best of both worlds. Opportunities for outdoor sports such as fishing, hiking, camping, rafting, and rock climbing are plentiful, but with museums, restaurants, live music, art galleries, and upscale shopping, there are just as many urban activities to enjoy. What’s more, Cody is notable for having a home-town feel and friendly residents.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
The Sheridan community feels like family, and that’s what many residents like most about the quaint little town. It’s over 100 miles away from a “big city,” but with top-notch medical facilities, ample shopping, terrific restaurants, beautiful parks, a college, and the scenic Big Horn Mountain Range nearby, Sheridan residents have everything they could want or need.
Show Us Your Togwotee/Flickr
Lander is definitely one of the coolest little towns in or outside Wyoming, so it’s no surprise that people love living there. As close as it is to Sinks Canyon and Yellowstone, Lander attracts people who love the outdoors. It’s got a liberal arts college, some amazing locally-owned eateries and microbreweries, and friendly folks that give it true small-town authenticity.
Larry Jacobsen/Flickr
Yep, the state’s capitol is one of the best towns to live in Wyoming, and we couldn’t agree more. It may be considered a “small town” when measured against other state capitols, but Cheyenne makes up for it with tons to do all year long starting with the legendary Frontier Days in July each year. Plus, in addition to the historic Capitol Building and the Governor’s Mansion, there’s the county fair, art shows, festivals, botanical gardens, museums, a community college, shops, breweries, and restaurants.
The tiny town of Kemmerer is jam-packed with Wyoming history such as historic trails, the railroad, and coal mining. It’s where the J.C. Penney “mother” store is located, and the Fossil Butte National monument is a short 15-minute drive away. People living in Kemmerer love the small-town feel and say it’s the best place ever to raise a family.
Residents in Powell love that it’s a small town, and people who settle there appreciate the outdoorsy, nature-oriented things to do. Fishing, camping, and hiking are among the top activities, but there’s also an awesome brew-pub in Powell in addition to assorted restaurants. Plus, it happens to be another of the five college towns that are considered the best places to live in Wyoming.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Evanston balances being a small town with its proximity to larger cities - if Rock Springs (about an hour and a half west) isn’t big enough for you, Salt Lake City, Utah is nearly as close (an hour and 20 minute-drive south). People living in Evanston like the friendly, small-town atmosphere and that biking, skiing, camping, hiking, and other outdoor fun is just outside their back doors. They even enjoy wildlife watching and the fact that you don’t necessarily have to leave the city limits because the animals often trek through town.
The priorities on Worland residents’ lists are small town living and the great Wyoming outdoors. Access to ample hunting and fishing comes right after Worland being a great place to raise kids. It’s been rated one of the safest cities in the state. The Washakie Museum and Cultural Center is located there, and with plenty of shopping, good schools, and a selection of dining choices, it’s no wonder Worland is included on the list of best places to live in Wyoming.
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