Top Neighborhoods
Cheyenne isn't a city where your neighborhood choice defines your life like in Denver or Austin, but the differences are real and they matter. Pick the wrong side of I-25 and you're battling a brutal daily commute; choose wisely and you'll have walkable access to the city's best craft breweries and a genuine small-town feel.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Cheyenne
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown/Central | Historic, urban core | $950-$1,400 | Young professionals, empty nesters | ~70 |
| South Cheyenne | Family suburban | $1,100-$1,600 | Families, military spouses | ~45 |
| East Cheyenne | New builds, sprawling | $1,050-$1,500 | First-time buyers, commuters | ~35 |
| North Cheyenne | Affordable, transitional | $800-$1,200 | Budget-conscious renters | ~50 |
| West Cheyenne | Established, quiet | $1,000-$1,450 | Government workers, retirees | ~55 |
Downtown/Central Cheyenne
Overview: This is the heart of the "Magic City," centered around historic Capitol Avenue and the Union Pacific Railroad heritage. You're living in 1920s brick buildings converted to lofts and classic bungalows with real character.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $950 - $1,400/mo (1BR) | $1,200 - $1,800/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $280k - $380k
- 🚗 Commute: 5-8 min to F.E. Warren AFB | 10 min to Capitol area
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~70 (Most errands doable on foot)
Local Intel: The farmers market at the Depot Plaza (May-Oct) is where locals actually shop, not the tourist trap. Avoid parking on Capitol Ave during Friday night "Friday Night Lights" football games - it's a nightmare. The best hidden gem is the tiny Metropolitan Coffee House on 17th Street, open until 11pm.
Who Thrives Here: Government workers who bike to the Capitol and remote professionals who need coffee shop culture. Also perfect for retirees who want walkable access to the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and The Albany restaurant without driving.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Real walkability - Harambee Coffee and The Metropolitan are 2 blocks apart
- ✅ Historic architecture you can't find elsewhere in Wyoming
- ❌ Street parking is brutal during Cheyenne Frontier Days (July)
- ❌ Some blocks near the railroad tracks have noise issues after 10pm
Schools: Cheyenne School District #1. Gilchrist Elementary is solid (7/10 GreatSchools). High schoolers attend East High, which is average for the district.
The Verdict: Move here if you want genuine urban living and can handle some grit. Avoid if you need suburban quiet or have a long daily highway commute.
South Cheyenne
Overview: This is where Cheyenne families plant roots - stretching from I-25 south to the airport. It's all post-1980s subdivisions with sidewalks, mature trees, and Cheyenne High School anchoring the community.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,100 - $1,600/mo (1BR) | $1,400 - $2,000/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $350k - $450k
- 🚗 Commute: 15-20 min to downtown | 10 min to F.E. Warren AFB
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~45 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: The South Cheyenne Community Park on Dell Range Blvd has the city's best playground equipment and stays packed on weekends. Traffic on Dell Range becomes a parking lot during back-to-school shopping at the Cheyenne Plaza mall. The Paramount Cafe on Lincolnway is where PTA meetings happen.
Who Thrives Here: Military families (short drive to base), teachers, and healthcare workers at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center who want suburban space without extreme commute times.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ South High School has the district's best sports programs and facilities
- ✅ Newer housing stock (1990s+) means fewer maintenance headaches
- ❌ Zero walkability - you'll drive for everything, including coffee
- ❌ Dell Range Blvd traffic is brutal during holidays and back-to-school
Schools: Cheyenne School District #1. Gilchrist Elementary and South High are both rated above district average. Newer Poder Academy charter school has a waitlist.
East Cheyenne
Overview: The fastest-growing part of the city, east of I-25 toward the Cheyenne Regional Airport. Think big box stores, new construction neighborhoods, and wide roads. This is Cheyenne's version of suburban sprawl.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,050 - $1,500/mo (1BR) | $1,300 - $1,850/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $320k - $420k (new builds start at $290k)
- 🚗 Commute: 20-25 min to downtown | 15 min to airport
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~35 (Very car-dependent)
Local Intel: The Cheyenne Ice and Events Center is here - critical for parents with hockey kids. The Little America Hotel is the local event venue and their breakfast buffet is legendary. Avoid Lincolnway between 4-6pm - it's the main artery and clogs completely.
Who Thrives Here: First-time homebuyers who want new construction, remote workers who need space for a home office, and airport employees. Also popular with Wyoming National Guard members due to proximity to the armory.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ New construction homes with modern floorplans and energy efficiency
- ✅ Easy highway access - you're 2 minutes from I-25 on/off ramps
- ❌ Cookie-cutter subdivisions with zero character
- ❌ You will drive 15+ minutes for any restaurant that isn't a chain
Schools: Prairie View Elementary is new and highly rated (8/10). High schoolers typically attend East High, which is average. Several charter options are being built here.
North Cheyenne
Overview: This is the affordable side of town, stretching north from the Capitol toward the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. It's a mix of older working-class homes, some revitalization, and pockets of transition.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $800 - $1,200/mo (1BR) | $1,000 - $1,500/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $220k - $320k
- 🚗 Commute: 8-12 min to downtown | 15 min to AFB
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~50 (Somewhat walkable)
Local Intel: The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens in Gilchrist Park is the crown jewel - free admission and amazing in summer. The Wyoming Transportation Museum is a hidden gem. Crime is higher here than the city average, but it's mostly property crime north of Warren Ave - stay south of that corridor.
Who Thrives Here: Budget-conscious renters, young people starting out, and anyone who wants to be close to downtown without downtown prices. Also attracts artists due to lower housing costs.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Most affordable rentals in the city - you can find a 1BR under $900
- ✅ Walking distance to The Crown bar and The Parameters bookstore
- ❌ Higher property crime rates - lock your car, always
- ❌ Housing stock is old (1940s-1960s) - expect drafty windows and old plumbing
Schools: North High School is here and struggles with lower ratings (4/10 GreatSchools). Gilchrist Elementary is decent but underfunded. Families with means often drive kids to South Side schools.
West Cheyenne
Overview: The quiet, established neighborhoods west of the Capitol, near F.E. Warren Air Force Base. This is where career military folks and long-time government workers settle down.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,000 - $1,450/mo (1BR) | $1,300 - $1,800/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $300k - $400k
- 🚗 Commute: 10-15 min to downtown | 5 min to AFB
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~55 (Somewhat walkable)
Local Intel: The Bunker Club on Warren Ave is the unofficial AFB officer's club. The Cheyenne Depot Museum is actually in this area and hosts excellent model train exhibits. Traffic on Central Ave during shift changes at the base is predictable chaos - plan around 7:30am and 4:30pm.
Who Thrives Here: Military families (active duty and veterans), federal employees at the AFB, and retirees who want quiet streets with mature trees.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ F.E. Warren AFB is literally 5 minutes away - huge for military families
- ✅ Established neighborhoods with big trees and actual landscaping
- ❌ Base housing is right in the mix - expect noise from training exercises
- ❌ Limited dining/entertainment options - you're driving to downtown for date night
Schools: Afflerbach Elementary is solid. High schoolers attend Central High, which is average. Base families often use on-base schools.
Final Advice
For young professionals: Downtown/Central is your clear winner - you'll pay $200/month more but gain walkability and actual nightlife. The commute to any employer is under 15 minutes.
For families: South Cheyenne offers the best school/price balance. The $1,500-$2,000 rental range gets you into quality school zones without the premium of other cities. Avoid North Cheyenne for schools.
For budget renters: North Cheyenne gives you the best access to the city at the lowest price, but research crime maps block-by-block. The area south of Warren Ave is solid; north of it gets sketchy.
Commuter reality: Cheyenne's traffic is laughable compared to real cities, but the 5:00pm shift change at F.E. Warren AFB creates a 20-minute bottleneck on Central Ave. If you work 8-5, live south or east of the base. If you work nights at the AFB, West Cheyenne is perfect.
Counterintuitive tip: Don't rent in "new" East Cheyenne if you work downtown. The highway commute is fine now, but Dell Range Blvd is already at capacity during peak hours and will only get worse as the city grows. Downtown's old buildings have better soundproofing than new construction - you hear your neighbors less in a 1920s brick than a 2020s stick-frame.