Cost of Living in Rock Springs, WY

Population 23,229 · Wyoming · Data vintage 2023

77
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Incomes in Rock Springs punch well above what you'd expect from a town of 23,229. The reason is straightforward: extraction-sector wages. Median household earnings of $73,307 pair with home values that remain well below the national median.

Geographically, Rock Springs lies roughly 150 miles east of the nearest major metro, Salt Lake City. Median home values run roughly 50% lower than Salt Lake City's $496,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 81
Rent 72

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

About the Cost of Living in Rock Springs

The median home value in Rock Springs is $245,600 — 19% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $943/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,307/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.0%, 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 55.0°F and lows of 32.4°F, with about 54" of annual snowfall. Overall, Rock Springs has a cost of living index of 77 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$245,600
19% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$283,749
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$943/mo
28% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,060/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7x
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 71.8%
Renter-occupied 28.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$943
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,557/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
21.4 min
21% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.3%
Carpooled
12.8%
Public transit
1.9%
Walked
0.9%
Bicycle
1.0%
Work from home
1.9%

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
$73,307
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$41,882
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
4% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.7%
Labor Force Participation
68.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.0%
Graduate degree 7.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.8
Male median age 35.6
Female median age 35.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.0°F
Avg Low
32.4°F
Annual Precip
7.5"
Annual Snowfall
54"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 303344536375848271564130
Low °F 141624303847555344332213
Precip" 0.380.370.580.911.270.700.470.560.790.810.400.31
Snow" 8.27.96.48.82.70.40.00.01.26.66.05.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good
69.3%
Good air days/yr
211
Max AQI recorded
8
PM2.5 days
328
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
17
Public schools
5,479
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rock Springs, WY?

Rock Springs has a cost index of 77 (100 = national average). It is 23% below the national average.

What is average rent in Rock Springs, WY?

The median gross rent in Rock Springs is $943 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rock Springs?

The median home value in Rock Springs is $245,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rock Springs?

The median household income in Rock Springs is $73,307 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rock Springs, WY?

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

Is Rock Springs, WY affordable?

Yes, Rock Springs is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 77 — about 23% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Rock Springs?

Rock Springs has average high temperatures of 55.0°F and average lows of 32.4°F. Annual precipitation is 7.5". Average annual snowfall is 54". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Rock Springs at a Glance

Population
23,229
Median Income
$73,307
Home Value
$245,600
Median Rent
$943/mo
Unemployment
5.0%
Avg High Temp
55.0°F
Sales Tax
5.3%
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