Skyline of Laramie
Cost of Living: 95 32,000

Laramie, WY, US

Home of the University of Wyoming with a classic college town and Medicine Bow access.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 100

Affordable

Median Income $52,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.0%

Job market health

Laramie vs US Average

Cost of Living
Laramie: 95
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Laramie: 100
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 4.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $52,000
  • Unemployment: 3.0%
  • Population: 32,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 220/year
  • Summer High: 80°F
  • Winter Low: 14°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4b

Housing

  • Median Home: $300,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1000/mo

Cost of Living

Laramie's cost of living index is 95 (US average = 100).

CategoryLaramieNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing1001000.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$300,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft$200

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
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$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Laramie:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$82Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$106Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$30Private service
Total Utilities$338Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Laramie scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
95
Rent
$1000
Sunny Days
220
Tax
None
Unemployment
3.0%
Climate
80°F / 14°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
32,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Laramie has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January34°F14°F2.5"
April65°F29°F2.8"
July80°F55°F1.5"
October60°F32°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4b

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Laramie faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms and blizzards.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Landslide High Risk

Rocky Mountain region with landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Rocky Mountains with frequent avalanches.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Yellowstone region with seismic activity.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 4%
  • Property Tax: ~0.61% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-May/June)
Summer Break Early June to September (13 weeks)
Winter Break Late December to early January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March or April (1 week)

State mandates 180 school days. Many rural schools use four-day weeks.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Laramie, WY, US?

The cost of living index in Laramie is 95, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Laramie?

The median home price in Laramie is $300,000. The housing index is 100.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Laramie is approximately $1000/mo.

Does Laramie, WY have income tax?

Laramie is in WY, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Laramie?

Laramie enjoys approximately 220 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 80°F, while winter lows can drop to around 14°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.