The Pros and Cons of Living in Wyoming

It's easy to pick up on traits a person has based on where they live. If they reside in Florida, there's a high chance they prioritize being in warm weather. Should they make their home in Iowa, odds are they don't mind the vicious weather their region experiences. The least populated state Americans call home is Wyoming. There are less than 600,000 residents. Like anywhere, there are pros and cons to living in the Equality State.

One pro for the citizens of Wyoming is how empty the state is. If you're pondering the thought of moving to Wyoming, you might be the type of person who enjoys the great outdoors. Folks who already live there tend to be nature lovers. Wyoming's air quality is considerably superior to most other states in the union. This is likely because of the small population. The only true metropolitan areas of Wyoming are Cheyenne and Laramie. The ladder is where the University of Wyoming is located.

One of the cons of settling down in Wyoming is the ruthless weather. Most of the state is at an altitude that soars higher than the rest of the United States. This means that there's plenty of snowfall during the year. Temperatures rarely hit the 90s in Wyoming. The highest all-time temperature in Cheyenne was 100 degrees. Be ready to bundle up for a large part of the year. For more state content, click here to read about the 10 pros and 10 cons of living in Florida.

To compile this list of pros and cons of living in Wyoming, 24/7 Tempo consulted Wyoming-related sources. These include Redfin, Apartment Guide, and The Honest Local.

Folks are coming up with creative and peculiar ways to save money in 2024. Migrating to states with lower costs of living is one masterly way to go about it. Compared to the rest of the United States, Wyoming has a reputation for being reasonably priced. The housing market is welcoming, especially for individuals coming from more expensive states.

Going to the grocery store or getting gas won't set you back the same way it will in places like California. Over time, these savings add up. You'll notice your bank account looking better than when you lived somewhere that has a higher cost of living. Saving money is easier when you live in a place like Wyoming.

If you're someone who doesn't like cold weather, Wyoming certainly isn't the place for you. The summers in Wyoming are quite comfortable, but that's about it. For the rest of the year, be ready to have to grab your shovel at a moments notice. There's typically always a chance for snow, even outside of the summer months.

Snow storms aren't the only weather problem Wyoming faces. The temperatures can get brutally low during the months of December and January. Your heating system will have to be cranked all the way up for a large percentage of the year. Decipher if you're someone who can stomach frosty weather for long stretches.

The last thing tons of people want to do is pay taxes. If you live in Wyoming, one tax you won't need to pay is state income. This is one of the lures that attracts people to Wyoming in the first place. By axing a state income tax, folks automatically have more cash on hand.

With the excess money Wyoming residents have access to, it becomes easier to take family trips. Splurging on recreational vehicles to explore the vast and open land of Wyoming becomes achievable also. While there are plenty of states that don't have a state income tax, few offer the same beauty and openness Wyoming does to the people who call it home.

Continuing with the subject of harsh weather, Wyoming has some of the strongest winds in the United States. You might think that wind isn't a huge issue. You might even be convinced you can easily deal with it. But, make sure to think twice. There are times where the winds reach 50 mph throughout the year. The average wind speed in Wyoming is 13 mph.

Wind in Wyoming is problematic because it amplifies the frigid temperatures outside. There are plenty of times when it feels so cold that it's not worth it to venture outside. The wind makes grass fly everywhere in the summertime, which makes allergies worse for tons of individuals. If you're going outside in Wyoming, make sure to always be ready to experience a wind storm.

Wyoming offers a delightful glimpse of what life was like in the Wild West. There are numerous mountain ranges and lakes where people spend their free time in Wyoming. In fact, people from all around the United States visit the Equality State when they're looking to unplug and escape the hustle of society.

Having constant access to unique beauty and landscape that people travel long ways for makes Wyoming feel special to those who live there. If you're aiming to live somewhere with breathtakingly stunning scenic views, you'll be in luck in Wyoming. Other states in the union simply don't compare.

There are few places to watch live shows in Wyoming.

Society is still looking to make up for lost time following the COVID-19 pandemic. Tons of people enjoy going out to sporting events and shows. However, if you decide to make Wyoming your home, be ready to accept that there aren't a lot of year-round entertainment options nearby. Denver is the closest city to Cheyenne with professional sports teams. As a reminder, Cheyenne is the largest city in Wyoming.

Rooting for the Broncos is all the rage among Denver residents. Wyoming residents often feel inclined to support those same teams. The trip from Cheyenne to Denver is roughly 100 miles, which means you'll spend around three hours in the car getting to a sporting event. There aren't many theaters in Wyoming putting on productions of shows, either. Also, musicians rarely ever stop in the state during their tours.

There are tons of open spaces to roam and explore while living in Wyoming. It's one of the reasons kids love growing up in the state. They can play and use their wildest imaginations while not having to worry about tons of houses crammed into one area. Kids aren't the only group of people who make use of the outdoor areas.

It's become more common for millennials and Gen-Zers to spend their time outside in nature. It's hard to get the full affect of what nature provides unless you're in an empty area with nobody else around you. There are countless lakes and rivers to fish in as well.

Since there's only one major city in Wyoming, there isn't a lot of public transportation in the state. This means it's necessary to own a car if you want to easily get around. Most other places in the United States have some sort of reliable, public transportation systems that the people can rely upon.

If something were to happen to your car or you needed to get somewhere quickly, you'd be in trouble if someone couldn't give you a ride. There haven't been any talks of adding to the public transit system in Wyoming at all, either. If they want to make themselves a more marketable state to live in, creating better transportation is vital.

Unlike so many places in the United States, Wyoming isn't a state where neighbors have homes seemingly built on top of each other. There's so much land that neighborhood developments can spread out and create beautiful homes for residents. A low population density also means the air quality in most of the state is better than other parts of America.

It's important to make sure you like the people you're living next to, since the state has such a low population density. As long as you are friendly with your neighbors then the lack of people crammed next to you won't bother you.

With a low population density comes a plethora of small cities. This isn't a bad thing, but get ready to drive out of your way whenever you need something. Most towns in Wyoming, except Cheyenne and Laramie, don't have everything available on their store shelves. On a night when you're craving McDonald's, you'll have to drive to the next town over.

Small towns don't have the same options that tons of other cities in the United States have. For example, there are no Costco stores in the state of Wyoming. It's good to support local businesses, but there are occasions where everyone wants to go to the trendy shopping area to feel like they're part of society.

It feels prideful to live somewhere that has a strong cultural heritage. Over the years, Wyoming has been home to numerous different groups that have inspired the art and lifestyle the state has in 2024. One of the most influential groups where different Native American tribes. It's easy to see the influence they have in different art galleries still to this day.

Another group of people who have made Wyoming their own are cowboys. It's nearly impossible to go anywhere in Wyoming and not see a myriad of cowboy hats and boots strutting around. There are countless people who ride horses for fun and continue the old-school western way of life in Wyoming.

If you've never experienced living at high altitude, it's vastly different than living closer to sea level. For starters, the weather is always worse the higher up in altitude you go. There are also tons of people who have difficulty breathing because of asthma. Unless you were born at high altitude, adjusting to the new life is challenging.

When people visit from out of town, the altitude issue might pose as a serious problem. For at least a day or two, their bodies need to adjust before doing true physical activity and living life. If they don't, then the people visiting are subjecting themselves to altitude sickness. Even professional athletes struggle playing in places with a higher altitude.

The cowboy lifestyle has become more of a dream for millennials and Gen-Zers who are looking to live according to simpler terms. Young people want to work for themselves and enjoy their time off. Cowboys have notoriously been famous for making sure they're taken care of. Cowboys have reputations for enjoying the simple things life has to offer.

Riding a horse around is a great way to help your mind get rid of the negative thoughts you have in the real world. Cowboys seemingly have figured out the loophole to creating a fun life. Most people who wear cowboy hats have a smile on their face and look like they're happy in their day-to-day experience on Earth.

If you're someone looking for steady income, living in Wyoming probably isn't a great idea for you. There aren't tons of chain stores that have made their way to the Equality State over time. Few corporations are headquartered in Wyoming at all. Unless you're willing to make the 200 mile round trip drive to Denver every day, it'll be hard to find a Fortune 500 job.

It's vital to take time and figure out a business to have to support yourself, unless you want to work for the state or take a chance finding a job with a store. Younger people who aren't near retirement age are more willing to take the risk of doing their own thing, though.

A lot of people enjoy unwinding by going hunting with their friends and family on the weekends. In Wyoming, there are countless animals to hunt in the wild. There are different seasons to hunt animals there, so make sure you're always up to date on what time of year it is.

Fishing is another outdoor activity that plenty of people take part in. Unlike hunting, some folks throw the fish they catch back into the water instead of keeping it for themselves. Wyoming is home to natural lakes and rivers that are a dream for anyone who fantasizes about spending time outdoors.

In Wyoming, it might seem like snowfall is as common as seeing a McDonald's joint within every five miles. Regardless, there's still a monstrous water issue plaguing the state. Wyoming is incredibly dry compared to other places in the United States. There's a colossal chance your water bill is going to be higher than most other places. The state is forced to ship water in from places like Oregon and Washington.

There's no telling if Mother Nature will be kind and give Wyoming more natural water in the future. This also means you're likely going to need a sprinkler system to water your lawn, instead of letting it naturally grow. Water scarcity is becoming a bigger issue around the United States everywhere, but people in Wyoming already know the struggle.

Wyoming is the perfect place for you if you're aiming to be surrounded by welcoming and friendly faces. Since the population of the state is so small, seemingly everybody knows everybody. While it might feel a little overwhelming to know everyone in your community, it means people are more likely to be kind to you.

It's normal to ask someone for help, to which they come immediately to your assistance. Smaller communities are known for having each other's backs. It's also part of the cowboy culture that's spread all throughout the Equality State. This mindset doesn't appear to be going anywhere in the future, either.

People will always be enamored with beach trips. There's something cosmic about relaxing in the sand and splashing around in the water. It's best of all when the temperature gets incredibly hot. If you live in Wyoming, you won't find any beaches near you. Instead, you're going to be forced to make a beach trip a family vacation.

Tons of people live in landlocked places, which means it's doable. However, if you're someone who's used to always having the ocean near you at the drop of a hat, living somewhere landlocked is a huge lifestyle adjustment. Even folks living in Nevada and Arizona can go to the beach on random days by taking trips to California. Wyoming is too landlocked for that.

Living somewhere safe brings a sense of peace that few other things can provide. In Wyoming, not much crime takes place. These positive statistics go along with the fact that everyone knows each other. People in Wyoming want to help each other and continue to thrive, not take away from each other.

It's normal for people in Wyoming to not lock their doors at night. There's no need to fear someone entering your home when you're close and friendly with them. The people of Wyoming pride themselves on being safe. The people want this trend to continue long into the future, even when they're gone.

If you're a minority, odds are you're going to feel quite out of place in Wyoming. Roughly 75% of the state's population is white. If you're a minority who doesn't mind this, then you're going to do just fine in Wyoming. With little diversity comes few different perspectives in life, though.

Sometimes, it's great to listen to someone who doesn't have the same life story as you. There's nothing Wyoming can really do to change the diversity in the state. It's up to more minorities to move to there to create a change in the diversity level. For more United States content, click here to read about 10 things most Americans don't know about America.