The $100,000 Salary Analysis for Riverton, WY

This analysis strips away marketing hype to focus on the real math of a $100,000 nominal salary in Riverton, Wyoming. It focuses on "Purchasing Power"—what you can actually buy with your money after the government takes its share.

1. The Verification Test

A $100,000 salary is not $100,000 in your pocket. Here is the hard breakdown of what disappears before you see a dime.

• Gross Salary: $100,000
• Federal Tax (Est.): ~$14,000 (Effective rate ~14% after standard deduction)
• FICA (SS/Medicare): $7,650 (Mandatory 6.2% + 1.45%)
• Wyoming State Tax: $0 (WY has no individual income tax)
• Net Pay (Estimated): $78,350

The Bottom Line: You live on roughly $6,529 per month.

2. Smart Budget (50/30/20)

Using the "Net Pay" figure above, here is how a disciplined budget looks. Note that Riverton's lack of state income tax helps, but it doesn't eliminate the need for strict allocation.

• Needs (50%): $3,264 / month

  • Rent (1BR): $0 (Assumed ownership or unique local arrangement; if renting, deduct ~$950 from this).
  • Utilities: $250 (Heating costs in WY are significant).
  • Groceries/Household: $550.
  • Transport (Fuel/Ins): $300 (Riverton is car-dependent).

• Wants (30%): $1,958 / month

  • Entertainment, dining, subscriptions, travel. This is your "fun" money.

• Savings (20%): $1,305 / month

  • Emergency fund, retirement (401k/IRA), investments.

3. Riverton Tax Context

Wyoming is a "Tax Haven" compared to most of the US.

• Vs. High-Tax (California/NY): In CA, a $100k salary faces ~9.3% state tax. You would lose an additional $6,000+ annually in state income tax alone. Riverton saves you that $6,000 immediately.
• Vs. No-Tax Rivals (Texas/Florida): Wyoming is roughly equivalent to TX/FL regarding income tax ($0). However, Wyoming generally has lower property tax rates than Texas, making homeownership cheaper long-term.

The Catch: Sales tax in Fremont County is roughly 6%. There is no income tax relief if you are a low earner; the tax structure relies heavily on mineral extraction and tourism.

4. FAQ

"Is $100k good here?"
Yes. Riverton has a lower Cost of Living Index than the national average. A $100,000 salary here provides significantly more purchasing power than $100,000 in Denver or Salt Lake City. However, the local economy is smaller; high-end consumer goods and luxury services are expensive due to shipping.

"Local income tax?"
No. Neither Riverton, Fremont County, nor the State of Wyoming levies an individual income tax on wages.