Skyline of Rock Springs
Cost of Living: 95 23,000

Rock Springs, WY, US

Southwest Wyoming energy hub with the White Mountain and Flaming Gorge recreation.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Rock Springs is a city in WY with a population of 23,000. Southwest Wyoming energy hub with the White Mountain and Flaming Gorge recreation. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 98

Affordable

Median Income $58,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.0%

Job market health

Rock Springs vs US Average

Cost of Living
Rock Springs: 95
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Rock Springs: 98
US Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $58,000
  • Unemployment: 3.0%
  • Population: 23,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 225/year
  • Summer High: 85°F
  • Winter Low: 15°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $280,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1000/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

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

CategoryRock SpringsNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing98100-2.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$280,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft$186

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
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Rock Springs:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$82Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$96Estimated 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$328Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Rock Springs scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 95
Rent
— $1000
Sunny Days
— 225
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 3.0%
Climate
— 85°F / 15°F
Safety
— 5.8 homicides/100k
Population
— 23,000
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Rock Springs has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January35°F15°F2.5"
April70°F30°F2.8"
July85°F60°F1.5"
October65°F33°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Rock Springs 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.

Demographics

The population of Rock Springs is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
0.9%
Black or African American
2.0%
Hispanic or Latino
17.4%
Native American
0.9%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
1.1%
Two or more races
3.0%
White
74.6%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.4%
High school graduate
31.2%
Less than high school
8.3%
Some college
39.2%

Religion

Christian
65.0%
Other
7.0%
Unaffiliated
28.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

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 Rock Springs, WY, US?

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

How much does it cost to buy a home in Rock Springs?

The median home price in Rock Springs is $280,000. The housing index is 98.

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

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

Does Rock Springs, WY have income tax?

Rock Springs is in WY, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Rock Springs?

Rock Springs enjoys approximately 225 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 85°F, while winter lows can drop to around 15°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: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.