Cost of Living in Lander, WY

Population 7,565 · Wyoming · Data vintage 2023

90
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 — Lander sits at the intersection of rural Wyoming and the state's energy economy. Median household incomes near $71,601 reflect that wage base, while housing costs track the smaller-town baseline. At 6.9%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 205 miles south of Billings, Lander is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Billings' $312,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 106
Rent 66

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

About the Cost of Living in Lander

The median home value in Lander is $321,800 — 6% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $870/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,601/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. Wyoming charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 58.5°F and lows of 31.6°F, with about 87.6" of annual snowfall. Overall, Lander has a cost of living index of 90 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$321,800
6% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$359,362
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$870/mo
34% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,512/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
30.8x
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 65.8%
Renter-occupied 34.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$870
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,484/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
14.9 min
45% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.3%
Carpooled
7.2%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
7.0%
Bicycle
3.7%
Work from home
7.4%

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
$71,601
4% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,080
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
44% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Labor Force Participation
63.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.5%
Graduate degree 19.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.6
Male median age 38
Female median age 37

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.5°F
Avg Low
31.6°F
Annual Precip
13.2"
Annual Snowfall
87.6"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 333749566678888675594433
Low °F 101323303948555445322010
Precip" 0.510.701.292.072.681.080.590.520.981.400.780.63
Snow" 8.212.114.416.44.50.10.00.01.510.510.69.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
58.9%
Good air days/yr
110
Max AQI recorded
88
PM2.5 days
277
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
1,842
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lander, WY?

Lander has a cost index of 90 (100 = national average). It is 10% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lander, WY?

The median gross rent in Lander is $870 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lander?

The median home value in Lander is $321,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lander?

The median household income in Lander is $71,601 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lander, WY?

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

Is Lander, WY affordable?

Lander is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 90 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Lander?

Lander has average high temperatures of 58.5°F and average lows of 31.6°F. Annual precipitation is 13.2". Average annual snowfall is 87.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lander at a Glance

Population
7,565
Median Income
$71,601
Home Value
$321,800
Median Rent
$870/mo
Unemployment
6.9%
Avg High Temp
58.5°F
Sales Tax
5.3%
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