When it comes to the best states for retirees, Wyoming may not be top of mind — but it should be. According to
WalletHub , Wyoming is in the top five best states to retire in the U.S. This Western state offers retirees a slower pace of life, filled with wide-open spaces, natural beauty, and four distinct seasons. Plus, it has numerous financial benefits, including no income, estate, or inheritance taxes. This, combined with a low cost of living, makes Wyoming attractive to retirees. In fact, over 17 percent of the population is 65 or older. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the best places to retire in Wyoming.
Cheyenne
Cheyenne , Wyoming's capital, is located in the southeast corner of the state. It’s a city brimming with natural beauty and a love of Western culture. One of the things the city is known for is Cheyenne Frontier Days, the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. This annual event takes place each summer and includes a rodeo, nighttime entertainment, shopping, and dining.
Cheyenne has a growing music and arts scene (including over 30 eight-foot-tall, hand-painted cowboy boot sculptures). Plus, there are five golf courses in the area, including the popular Cheyenne Airport Golf Course, which often hosts the Wyoming Open tournament. According to Zillow, average home values in Cheyenne are a bit higher than the state average but are still reasonable at
around $365,000. Cheyenne could be a great choice for retirees who want a small-town feel with easy access to big-city amenities.
Denver, Colorado , is just an hour and 45 minutes south of Cheyenne, offering residents access to big-city entertainment, shopping, and one of the busiest airports in the world.
Cody
Cody, located in northern Wyoming, is a town rich not only in Western culture but also in access to outdoor activities. Located just 50 miles from
Yellowstone National Park , it’s a wonderful spot for retirees looking for natural beauty and wide-open spaces. Even closer than Yellowstone is Shoshone National Forest, which offers residents ample opportunities to enjoy nature through activities like mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, fly fishing, horseback riding, and river rafting. Cody has a thriving retirement community. Senior residents (those aged 65 and up) make up over 20 percent of Cody’s population, according to Canyon Real Estate, LLC. Both the Cody Senior Center and the Paul Stock Aquatic and Recreation Center offer free classes and activities geared toward retirees.
Jackson
Jackson is located on the western edge of Wyoming, in the
Jackson Hole Valley just south of
Grand Teton National Park . That means Jackson residents have easy access to lots of outdoor activities. Hiking, biking, and fishing are popular warm-weather activities, while skiing is the main form of recreation during winter. And maintaining an expansive and pristine landscape is paramount in Jackson: “Only three percent of the county is developable, thus there are huge opportunities to bike, ski, hike, and wander in the outdoors,” says Greg Prugh, owner and broker at Prugh Real Estate in Jackson. It’s a great spot for retirees looking for an active and welcoming community. “People don’t ask you what you do, they ask you what you like to do — referring to outdoor activities,” says Prugh “It’s a friendly place with a great local population who love the valley.”
Sheridan
Sheridan is a small town in northern Wyoming that offers residents plenty of room to roam and spectacular mountain views. Located in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, activities like boating, hiking, hunting, fishing, and photographing wildlife abound. Nicknamed “Wyoming’s Golf Capital,” Sheridan is home to three championship golf courses. For retirees serious about living a laid-back lifestyle with easy access to the sport, there’s The Powder Horn Golf Club. This golf club community is one of the best in the U.S., offering residents easy access to not only golf but also swimming, tennis, a fitness center, fishing, and walking paths. Even though Sheridan offers a small-town lifestyle, the rest of the world is easy to access. Sheridan County Airport has daily flights on United Airlines to Denver International Airport, which connects passengers with nonstop service to over 200 destinations worldwide.
Laramie
Laramie, located in the southeast corner of Wyoming, is a member of AARP’s Age-Friendly Network. These communities have the common goal of improving the health and quality of life for residents of all ages through projects designed to increase livability for senior citizens. Recent projects have included adding accessible raised garden beds and an accessible greenhouse to a community garden. Residents have multiple parks, trails, and open spaces to use for outdoor activities, including hiking and biking. For those who would prefer to take it easy, the Eppson Center for Seniors offers a variety of classes and activities, including crafts, painting, bingo, yoga, and more. Laramie is a great choice for retirees on a budget. According to Zillow, the average home value is about $370,000, which isn’t far from the national average.
Casper
Casper, Wyoming, is one of the
most affordable places to retire in the U.S. This central Wyoming city is an outdoor lover’s paradise. The North Platte River runs through and around the city, giving residents easy access to a multitude of water activities, including fishing, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and even floating (you’ll often spot locals floating down the river in a tube). Then there’s Casper Mountain, offering everything from hiking and skiing to archery and camping. A vibrant downtown features public art, green spaces, shopping, and dining for residents and visitors alike. David Street Station is an outdoor venue in the heart of downtown that hosts events throughout the year, including live music, entertainment, local markets, a winter ice skating rink, and a summer splash pad. Residents can enjoy one of the city’s art galleries or take in a live performance from the symphony or even Wyoming’s first opera company. According to Zillow, average home values in Casper are
under $300,000, which is well below both the national and state averages, making it an affordable choice for retirees on a budget.
Buffalo
Buffalo, Wyoming, is a small town offering residents a slow pace of life, stunning scenery, and a taste of Wild West culture. A thriving arts scene showcases cowboy themes on outdoor murals and sculptures throughout the town. Local galleries and shops line the streets of downtown, and live entertainment can be found each evening. There’s a lot to do when it comes to outdoor recreation, too. Nearby, Bighorn National Forest comes alive in the winter; it’s the perfect place for skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. During the warmer months, residents can go hiking or biking on one of the area’s many trails including those in the Bighorn Mountains, just 15 minutes away.
Lander
Lander is a
small Wyoming town located on the south side of the 2.2 million acre Wind River Reservation. Sinks Canyon State Park is less than 10 miles outside of Lander and offers plenty of outdoor recreation, including rock climbing, camping, skiing, and hiking. Lander is internationally known as a great spot for rock climbing and is even home to the International Climbers’ Festival. For retirees looking for something a little less intense, there’s the Lander Art District. This section of downtown boasts art galleries, local shops, restaurants, bars, and even a tattoo parlor. Lander is a friendly community with plenty of events throughout the year for residents of all ages. There are fitness classes, theater performances, special events, volunteer opportunities, and even a free monthly dance event hosted by the Lander Senior Center. According to Zillow, average home values in Lander are
around $375,000 , so while prices are slightly above the national and state averages, they are still reasonable.
Dubois
Dubois is a peaceful town tucked away in Central Wyoming near Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Shoshone National Forest, and Wind River Reservation. Surrounded by nature, this town offers residents almost 4,000 miles of trails and over 800,000 acres of land to explore. You can ride a horse, a bike, or an ATV through the rugged landscape, or explore on foot. During the winters, residents enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling, while summers lend themselves to fishing and enjoying the area’s wildlife. During the summer, locals and visitors gather for the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo, farmers markets, and other special events.
Rock Springs
Located in southwest Wyoming, Rock Springs features a thriving downtown with an award-winning Main Street full of local shops and restaurants, plus the small city has a diverse community comprised of 56 nationalities. Adventure seekers will be interested in checking out the Killpecker Sand Dunes — among the largest in the U.S. — less than an hour north of Rock Springs. Just south of town is Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, where residents can go hiking, fishing, swimming, or biking. Retirees looking for affordability will love that the average home value in Rock Springs is
just under $280,000 , well below the state and national averages, according to Zillow.