Wyoming’s small population (the lowest in America!) makes for beautiful wide open spaces, low taxes, and low crime rates. However, it also means you don’t have access to the shopping, sports, or job opportunities you may be hoping for.

If you’re thinking about moving to the Equality State, it’s important to understand both the pros and cons before taking the leap. Depending on what kind of life you’re looking to build, Wyoming could bring your rural dreams to life—or put your urban ones to bed.

How can you know if Wyoming is the state for you? Read through the pros and cons with

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Pro: Super low taxes

If you’re looking to cut back on your tax costs, Wyoming has the third lowest tax burden rate in the country at 6.14%. Not only is Wyoming one of seven states with no personal income tax, but it also has no corporate state income tax or retirement income tax.

But what does that really mean for Wyoming residents? Basically, in Wyoming, you don’t have to worry about paying taxes on your paycheck, business profits, or retirement income (like your pension).

Because of this, Wyoming is an excellent place for families who operate small businesses out of their homes. With property taxes at only 0.62% (the 9th lowest in the US), Wyoming’s taxes are super low!

MORE: Homeowners insurance in Wyoming

Pro: Incredible scenery

Home to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming draws in millions of visitors every year to soak up its beautiful scenery. Beyond Yellowstone, you can also enjoy Devil’s Tower, Fossil Butte National Monument, Grand Tetons, and several other national and state parks.

There are plenty of fun outdoor activities in Wyoming, ranging from hiking to hunting. With wildlife like moose, bighorn sheep, bison, mountain goats, and antelope, there’s no shortage of hunting seasons.

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Con: Limited shopping options

Wyoming has the smallest population of all the states, with only approximately 580,000 residents. As the 10th largest state, its small population is widely spread out. Because Wyoming’s largest city, Cheyenne, only has 64,000 people, there aren’t a lot of great shopping opportunities.

If you’re looking for an urban environment with all the usual amenities of a modern city, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Most of Wyoming is rural (which comes with its own charm!), meaning you’ll have a hard time finding items beyond the essentials. Believe it or not, there are only two malls in the entire state of Wyoming.

If shopping is a priority, it may be time to plot out your next road trip!

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Pro: Low crime rates

Wyoming’s crime rates will certainly help you sleep soundly at night. With only 234.2 violent crimes per 100,000 (compared to a national average of 398.5), Wyoming is the 7th safest state in terms of violent crimes.

And it doesn’t end there—property crime in Wyoming is well below the national average. You can lock your doors at night and rest easy that the stats are in your favor. Lander, Wyoming, is one of the safest places to live, reporting as few as zero violent crimes for many years!

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Con: Get ready for tornadoes, severe winds, and more

While Wyoming sees sunny skies for as many as 300 days a year, it faces its fair share of extreme weather.

A lot of the year, Wyomingites (yes, that’s what they're called!) face dry and windy weather. This can cause health problems and help to spread dangerous forest fires. When the wind picks up, you’ll want to keep an eye on the three-day severe storm forecast—tornadoes are common in late spring and early summer, which is why regular statewide drills exist.

To stay safe, make sure you’re prepared for tornadoes, fires, severe winds, thunderstorms, hail, heavy rains, and flash floods. Homeowners insurance in Wyoming is no joke!

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Does car insurance cover fire damage without extra coverage?

Pro: Experience all four seasons

Did you say, “300 days of sunshine a year?” That’s right! While Wyoming’s tornadoes are no joke, you’ll also get a chance to enjoy plenty of good weather—across all four seasons.

Get out your cameras and get ready for your fall, winter, spring, and summer family photo shoots! Each season brings its own beauty, with sunny summers, colorful fall leaves, snowy winter wonderlands, and spring flowers.

Wyoming has plenty of fun seasonal activities, including world-class skiing in the Rocky Mountains!

MORE:

What is the best time to travel to Yellowstone?

Pro: Smooth sailing (...or driving)

Because of Wyoming’s low population, there are plenty of resources to keep their roads in tip-top shape. But the smooth ride doesn’t stop there—Wyoming is also known for few traffic jams, short commute times, and less pollution.

With so few drivers on the road, Wyoming increased its speed limits on two-lane highways, helping residents cross great distances faster. The average Wyoming commuter can get to work in less than 20 minutes. And with so few cars on the road, the air stays clean and fresh (and there is no one to slow down traffic!).

MORE: Wyoming road closures

Con: Limited opportunities

Unfortunately, many young people are leaving Wyoming due to limited opportunities. With so few people, finding career and educational opportunities is hard.

Wyoming has very few higher education institutes. The options are limited to one public university (University of Wyoming), one private institution (Wyoming Catholic College), and seven community colleges.

The job pickings are equally slim and often limited to only a few sectors. The openings are minimal if you want to advance to a professional career. It’s no wonder the younger population is making a mass exodus.

MORE: Tips for moving out of state

Pro: Amazing western food

Wyoming may not be known for its diverse food selection, but it has perfected the art of western food. With so many farm-fresh options (and a wide range of wildlife), Wyoming menus consist of everything from bison burgers to white chicken chili.

But it doesn’t end there! Wyomingites are so passionate about their chicken-fried steak it’s almost become its own food group. Other popular foods include jerky, trout, and a good ole regular steak.

Just know that when you order the “Rocky Mountain Oysters,” it’s not oysters…

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Best road trip food stops

Con: No professional sports teams

Brace yourselves, sports fans—Wyoming has no professional sports teams. Before you panic, keep in mind that Denver is only a few hours from Cheyenne, and it has all the sports you could hope for.

Unfortunately, if you’re looking for something closer to home, your only real option is to attend events hosted by the University of Wyoming. There are a few chances to enjoy the rodeo as Casper hosts the College National Finals Rodeo every year. Cheyenne is also a stop on the professional rodeo tour every now and then.

Otherwise, Wyoming doesn’t even have a minor-league baseball team—so off to Denver, it is!

MORE: How bad is Denver traffic?

Pro: Affordable housing

The

cost of living in Wyoming

may be about average—but housing costs are significantly lower than the national average. Renters and homeowners alike will find great deals across the state.

Because of Wyoming’s affordable housing prices, an impressive 73.3% of Wyoming residents are homeowners. Average home values are almost half the national average. Renting is equally reasonable, making Wyoming an all-around great place to buy or rent!

Check out the more rural areas for the best prices versus the larger cities like Cheyenne or Laramie.

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Wyoming renters insurance

Is Wyoming a good state to live in?

Yes, for many people, Wyoming is a great place to live. Before you make your final decision, be sure to take all the pros and cons into consideration.

Wyoming is a great state for:

Outdoors enthusiasts

Families looking to buy their own place

Small business owners

Anyone who loves to drive

On the other hand, there may be better choices than Wyoming for young people looking to develop their careers or those who love the hustle and bustle of city life.

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Wyoming car insurance laws

How to upgrade your car insurance in Wyoming

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