Cost of Living in Gillette, WY

Population 33,278 · Wyoming · Data vintage 2023

79
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Small, well-paid, and production-driven — Gillette sits at the intersection of rural Wyoming and the state's energy economy. Median household incomes near $90,699 reflect that wage base, while housing costs track the smaller-town baseline.

Geographically, Gillette lies roughly 180 miles southeast of the nearest major metro, Billings. Median home values run roughly 18% lower than Billings' $312,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 84
Rent 70

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Gillette

The median home value in Gillette is $257,200 — 16% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $922/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $90,699/year is 22% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wyoming charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 58.9°F and lows of 32.7°F. Overall, Gillette has a cost of living index of 79 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 21% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$257,200
16% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$321,964
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$922/mo
30% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,189/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.2x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$746
1 BR
$770
2 BR
$979
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,615
Owner-occupied 75.2%
Renter-occupied 24.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$922
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,536/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
22.1 min
18% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.9%
Carpooled
11.3%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
1.6%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
3.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 5.3%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 1.3%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$90,699
22% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,578
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
11% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.0%
Labor Force Participation
72.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.1%
Graduate degree 10.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.4
Male median age 32
Female median age 34.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.9°F
Avg Low
32.7°F
Annual Precip
13.6"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363748556577878675594636
Low °F 141523303948565444322215
Precip" 0.330.430.831.602.632.031.520.970.981.380.520.36

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
67.1%
Good air days/yr
177
Max AQI recorded
38
PM2.5 days
193
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

84%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
23
Public schools
8,877
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Gillette, WY?

Gillette has a cost index of 79 (100 = national average). It is 21% below the national average.

What is average rent in Gillette, WY?

The median gross rent in Gillette is $922 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Gillette?

The median home value in Gillette is $257,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Gillette?

The median household income in Gillette is $90,699 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Gillette, WY?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Gillette is 5.3%. Wyoming has no state income tax.

Is Gillette, WY affordable?

Yes, Gillette is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 79 — about 21% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Gillette?

Gillette has average high temperatures of 58.9°F and average lows of 32.7°F. Annual precipitation is 13.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Gillette at a Glance

Population
33,278
Median Income
$90,699
Home Value
$257,200
Median Rent
$922/mo
Unemployment
4.3%
Avg High Temp
58.9°F
Sales Tax
5.3%
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🗺️ County data for Wyoming

Explore county-level cost of living data

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