Cheyenne, WY: The 2026 Relocation Deep Dive

Cheyenne: The Data Profile (2026)

Cheyenne represents a specific statistical outlier in the 2026 post-remote economy: a city with near-national-average median income but drastically lower cost inputs. With a population of 65,163, it functions as a micro-metropolis rather than a traditional urban center. The median household income sits at $74,244, which is effectively flat (-0.5%) relative to the US average of $74,580. However, the educational attainment rate is surprisingly high at 33.4%, edging out the national average of 33.1%.

The statistical target demographic is the "High-Income/Low-Expense" remote worker. Specifically, professionals earning $80,000+ who can leverage geographic arbitrage to maximize savings. The city is not attracting entry-level workers (due to a 33.9% obesity rate and limited corporate ladders) but rather established professionals seeking to convert a national-average salary into a top-percentile savings rate.

Cost of Living Analysis

The core value proposition of Cheyenne is the housing arbitrage. The "Housing Index" is 74.8, meaning housing costs are 25.2% below the national average. While groceries and transportation align closely with the US average (Index 94.8), the electricity rate of 12.47 cents/kWh is 22.7% cheaper than the US average of 16.0 cents/kWh, providing a year-round utility advantage.

Table 1: Cost of Living Breakdown (Monthly Budgets)

Disposable Income Analysis:
A single earner making the median income of $74,244 (approx. $4,640 monthly after tax) living on the Single Adult Budget retains $2,588 monthly. This is roughly 126% higher than the disposable income of a national average earner in a national average city.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market data indicates a strong "Buy" environment. The median home price in Cheyenne is $315,000, compared to the US average of $416,000. This represents a 24.3% discount on the asset entry point. The Price per Square Foot is $185, significantly lower than the US average of $260. For renters, the gap is even wider; a 1-Bedroom unit costs $917 vs the US average of $1,500 (38.9% cheaper).

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting Analysis)

Buying vs. Renting Verdict:
Relative to the national curve, buying is the statistically superior financial move. The "Price-to-Rent Ratio" in Cheyenne favors buying. With a median home price of $315,000 and annual rent for a 3BR at $19,632, the ratio is roughly 16:1. In high-cost cities, this ratio often exceeds 30:1. For those intending to stay 3+ years, buying is the only logical data-driven choice to build equity.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

The 2026 economy is defined by "Hybrid-Flex" models. Cheyenne’s economic stability is anchored by F.E. Warren Air Force Base and state government, providing a floor for employment. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, well below the US average of 4.0%, indicating a tight labor market for local roles.

RTO & Commute Impact:
For remote workers, Cheyenne offers a distinct "Commute Dividend." The average commute time is 15.2 minutes, compared to the US average of 26.7 minutes. This saves the average worker 11.5 minutes per day, or roughly 47.5 hours of reclaimed life annually. However, local industry diversity is low; total reliance on local employers carries risk. The recommendation is to secure a remote role paying at least the national median before relocating.

Quality of Life Audit

While the economics are compelling, the health data presents a "Red Flag." The overall Health Score is 80.2/100, which is categorized as "Good," but this masks specific lifestyle risks. The Obesity Rate is 33.9%, notably higher than the US average of 31.9%. Conversely, the Smoking Rate is lower at 13.3% (US: 14.0%), and Mental Health scores are trending positively.

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics

Safety & Environment:

• Crime: Cheyenne is statistically safer than 78% of US cities. Violent crime is 1.9 per 1k residents (US avg: 3.8). Property crime is 18.5 per 1k (US avg: 19.5).
• Air Quality: The AQI of 42 and PM2.5 of 6.5 µg/m³ are excellent, ranking in the top 20% of cleanest US cities.
• Weather: Today’s conditions are Sunny with a high of 52°F and low of 35°F. The climate is semi-arid, experiencing roughly 129 sunny days annually.
• Schools: The city is served by Laramie County School District #1. Graduation rates are 84%, slightly below the national average of 87%.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Housing Arbitrage: You pay 74.8% of the national average for housing while earning near 100% of the national average income.
• Air Quality: Top-tier environmental metrics (AQI 42).
• Commute: 15.2 minute average commute saves significant time.
• Safety: Violent crime is 50% lower than the national average.

Cons:

• Health Profile: High obesity rate (33.9%) suggests a limited culture of fitness/wellness compared to coastal cities.
• Amenities: As a small city (65,163 pop), retail and dining options are limited compared to metros.
• Remote Dependency: Local salaries may not match the median income ($74,244) without remote work.

Final Recommendation:
RELOCATE (Conditionally).
Cheyenne is a mathematically optimal relocation target for remote workers earning $75,000+. The data supports a massive increase in disposable income due to the 25.2% housing discount. However, it is not recommended for those seeking local career advancement or a high-density urban lifestyle.

FAQs

1. What salary do I need to live comfortably in Cheyenne?
To match the national standard of living, a single earner needs approximately $52,000. However, to maximize the "Cheyenne Advantage" (saving $2,000+/mo), a salary of $75,000 is the ideal target.

2. How does the value compare to other Wyoming cities?
Cheyenne offers 15% lower housing costs than Casper, WY, but with 20% higher population and better connectivity. It is the primary "value hub" of the state.

3. Is Cheyenne safe for families?
Yes. With a violent crime rate of 1.9 per 1k and property crime of 18.5 per 1k, it is statistically safer than 78% of US cities.

4. What is the best timing for a move?
The optimal moving window is April to May. This avoids the heavy snowfall of winter (averaging 50+ inches) and the high winds of March. Current weather shows Sunny skies at 46.0°F, indicating a mild transition period.