Moving To Wyoming: State Relocation Guide
Over the last several years, there’s been a push for people to get back outside and experience nature. Unfortunately, experiencing nature is not always easy because of location and proximity. But in Wyoming, the wilderness is your neighbor.
Whether you want to explore the many national and state parks throughout the state or investigate one of the dozens of islands, Wyoming is the perfect place to get outside and explore. And, experiencing all Wyoming offers is much easier if you move there.
However, moving is pretty stressful, especially when crossing state lines. Through this guide, you can learn everything you need to know about Wyoming’s climate, healthcare, cost of living, the best places to live in Wyoming, and more.
Wyoming Climate
Wyoming is a large state spanning 97,914 square miles. You will find beautiful mountain ranges and wide-open plains throughout the state. As you travel through Wyoming, you will encounter many serene streams and rivers that run throughout the country. Some of these rivers include Missouri, Colorado, and Columbia.
Because mountains and plains pepper Wyoming’s gorgeous landscape, the temperatures, precipitation, and humidity vary depending on your location. And, the diverse regions of the state have startling differences in their climate.
If you live on or near the mountains, you can expect more precipitation and cooler temperatures. July is the hottest month of the year, and in the mountains, the average high temperature is 70℉.
Additionally, the mountains experience more rain than the rest of the state. The main reasons for this are the elevation and the moist air coming from the Pacific Ocean. As the warm air scales the mountains, it rains before the air crests the peaks and descends the east side of the mountains.
Once you’re in the plains, you can expect milder weather, though it’s not always predictable. In and around the Bighorn Basin, you can expect temperatures to stay around 92°F in the summer. Precipitation in the plains is a lot less than along the mountain ranges. Those who live on the plains experience an average of 7-15 inches.
However, come wintertime, the cold temperatures are uniform. Temperatures stay around 5-10°F for most of January and occasionally dip below 0°F. Additionally, the state averages 91 inches of snow per year, with the mountains receiving a majority of that.
The one thing Wyoming doesn’t have is humidity — regardless of your location. Most days, you will have 5-10% humidity, and at night you can expect 35-45% humidity.
Although Wyoming has plenty of open space, they also rarely have tornadoes. And if a tornado does occur, it’s typically tiny and dissipates within minutes. With a lack of tornadoes, hail is the primary cause for concern in Wyoming. It’s not uncommon for hailstorms to ruin crops for farmers and hurt their bottom dollar. Additionally, massive thunderstorms can cause flooding and wash away precious sediments and minerals in farmland.
So, for the most part, moving to Wyoming means that you can count on beautiful weather. However, as gorgeous as the weather typically is, it also brings extremes. Be prepared for cold temperatures between November and May before you can enjoy the beautiful spring and summer seasons.
Taxes in Wyoming
Living in Wyoming is ideal for people who don’t want to pay taxes — Wyoming doesn’t have individual or corporate income tax.
Additionally, Wyoming’s sales tax is only 4%, and local jurisdictions can increase this rate by 1%. But when it comes to property tax, Wyoming is one of the lowest in the country, with only 0.55%.
Moving to Wyoming means you save a lot of money on taxes, improving your livelihood and the value of your investments.
Job Opportunities and Costs in Wyoming
When living in Wyoming, you can expect the average American cost of living. Best Places rates Wyoming at 98.1, and the US average is 100. There are several reasons for this rating, including a high level of affordability and accessibility across multiple areas.
Whereas most aspects of life are significantly below the average (transportation) or just under the standard, health costs are considerably more expensive in Wyoming.
Aside from the high health costs, life in Wyoming is consistent with the national average, meaning you don’t have to expect a ton of economic changes if you previously lived in an area with a similar cost of living. Additionally, homes are a bit more affordable in Wyoming, with a reduction of nearly $20,000.00.
But besides the cost of living, consider the job landscape in Wyoming before you move. You need to be sure that there’s something for you, and there are a few vital bits of information you need to know about working in Wyoming.
The first thing to note is that the job market is in line with the US average, but it has slowly declined over the years. The second factor is that job growth is slow.
However, in agriculture, mining, transportation, and utilities, you can expect to make more money than the U.S. average. Given the rough conditions and wilderness, manual labor of all types pays well in Wyoming. Although job growth is much slower than the rest of the country, Wyoming rarely struggles with unemployment.
Except for a handful of years that were outliers, Wyoming is always below the US average for unemployment. This low unemployment rate means it’ll be easy for you to find work. This fact is beneficial for someone new to the state looking for employment and improving their livelihood.
Wyoming Healthcare
One of the most important things about healthcare in Wyoming is that the state doesn’t have a health insurance marketplace. So if you want health insurance and your business doesn’t provide any, you have to use the federal marketplace. The lack of a state-run market increases the cost of healthcare in the state.
Additionally, the average age of a Wyoming resident is 38.1 years. While the average age is still relatively young, seniors make up a large portion of the population.
As of 2019, seniors made up 23% of the population which affected the average insurance cost.
There are other essential pieces of information regarding health besides insurance costs. Your environment affects your health and well-being too.
When it comes to water quality, Wyoming is in line with the US average rating of 55/100. But for the Superfund Index, Wyoming is slightly below the US average of 87 with an 80/100. This rating means that Wyoming has set aside a little less money than most states dedicated to purifying contaminated land.
However, given the vast expanses and ranging mountains, Wyoming blasts the US average out of the water for air quality with a score of 85/100 compared to 58. When you take all of this information into account, it makes sense that Wyoming is 38th in the country in healthcare.
One of the most significant healthcare drawbacks, besides cost, is the lack of physicians available.
The US average is 261 physicians for 100,000 people, and Wyoming averages 165 physicians for 100,000 people. A ratio like this increases wait times in medical facilities and decreases access to facilities because fewer locations exist.
Overall, when it comes to healthcare in Wyoming, it’s in your best interest to live near a larger city or get your health insurance through your employer — this guarantees coverage at an affordable rate in most cases.
Wyoming Education
Wyoming is complicated when it comes to education, depending on the age of your children. For K-12 education Wyoming ranks 39th, but in secondary education, Wyoming ranks 4th. The discrepancy in the two rankings stems from standardized tests scores, enrollment, and high school graduation rate.
Wyoming ranks 39th because they have an 81% high school graduation rate and approximately 91,000 students enrolled in K-12 programs. The 2020-21 school year enrollment had nearly 2,000 students less than the 2019-20 school year.
However, even with these startling statistics, Wyoming students score very well on standardized tests as a whole. The national average for NAEP math scores is 282, and Wyoming students average 286. Consistently overachieving on these benchmarks is a clear sign that education is improving in the state.
But Wyoming sets itself apart with higher education. Even though the state only has one four-year degree-granting institution in the entire state, the University of Wyoming nationally ranks at #196. It features some of the best outdoor-related degrees in the country.
Although Wyoming may only have one university, students still have options. Out-of-state is an excellent option for many graduates, but it’s not always affordable.
Wyoming education works with 16 states through the Western Graduate Exchange program to increase access for Wyoming residents to attend colleges outside the state.
This fantastic program helps students in Wyoming attend out-of-state schools while only charging 150% of the in-state price. This option expands students’ choices and encourages more students to attend higher education institutions.
If you have children growing up in Wyoming, you can rest assured that the state is aware of its downfalls and has instituted plans to increase education and help students achieve their dreams.
Notable Highlights
When moving to a new state, learning a few things about your new home is always helpful. Knowing a few exciting facts can help you acclimate to your surroundings. Here are some interesting facts and notable highlights:
- The word Wyoming comes from a Lenape Indian word “Mechewami-ing,” meaning “at the big plains.”
- Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote.
- Wyoming was the first state to elect a female governor.
- “The Equality State” is Wyoming’s nickname.
- Although Wyoming is the 10th largest state, it has the smallest population (550,000 people). So, it has a low population density.
- Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, two of the most visited parks, fit entirely inside Wyoming.
- Even though Wyoming is landlocked, it has 32 islands, many of which are uninhabited.
Best Places to Live in Wyoming
Wyoming is a beautiful and exciting place to live–that’s what makes it a perfect choice for so many people. You can expect quiet living, low taxes, and an affordable cost of living in Wyoming. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that you’re considering moving there.
Before you drive a moving truck or get on a plane to Wyoming, prepare for a few things to enjoy your new home state:
- Wyoming is a semi-arid environment with very low temperatures in the winter and mild temperatures in the summer. Make sure you pack the warmest clothes for the Wyoming winters and bring some durable shoes.
- Carry all essential documents on your person. These documents include your driver’s license, social security card, medical records, vehicle insurance, voter registration card, and vehicle registration.
- As you prepare for your move, you might wonder what to do with your car. But, worrying about your car is unnecessary because Guardian Auto Transport can help you with it. Get the best state-to-state car shipping for total peace of mind.
Now that you have these things covered, below are the top three places to live in Wyoming:
Worland
At the top of our list is Worland, Wyoming. With a population of 5,383 people, Worland is the perfect place to live if you want a peaceful life. This quiet community is more affordable than the average in the state, making it a great place to start your next chapter. But don’t let the small town fool you: There is plenty to do.
You can scale the Gooseberry Badlands with family and friends, and eventually make your way to Stogie Joe’s for delicious food and drinks.
Sheridan
Next on the list is Sheridan, located right next to Bighorn National Forest. There are many outdoor things to do in this town all year round. With a population of just under 18,000, Sheridan is a step up from Worland in size, making it an ideal size for a family with children.
This populated city has excellent restaurants, like Cowboy Cafe, Wyoming’s Rib and Chophouse, and Frackleton’s. Dining at any of these restaurants will fill you up and remind you of why you moved to Wyoming — to enjoy life at a slower pace with good food and great friends.
Green River
Worland and Sheridan are in the state’s northern half, whereas Green River is in the southern half, making it a prime location for people who want milder summers and winters.
Located in the plains, Green River is rich with outdoor activities throughout the year. You can visit Expedition Island Park and the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. In short, living in Green River will increase your appreciation and love for the environment and your new home.
Conclusion
Living in Wyoming has many perks, but there are some things you need to watch out for up there. With no taxes, Wyoming residents can keep most of their hard-earned money. But, healthcare costs are much higher than in the majority of the country.
The cost of living is around the US average, but the living conditions from November to May are not for the faint of heart–the cold and snow will test a person’s patience and resolve.
Overall, Wyoming is a great place to live, especially for spending more time outside. With national parks all around, you’re never at a loss for things to do or places to go.
But before you start packing your bags, make sure you contact Guardian Auto Transport to help you with your vehicle(s). We’ll help ship your vehicle to Wyoming or ship from state to state. With our high-quality service and customer support, we can help you minimize the stress of travel by transporting your vehicle(s) for you. Get a free quote today and learn how much we can help you.
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