Laramie, WY vs Rock Springs, WY

Rock Springs is moderately more affordable than Laramie, with a 5.4% lower cost of living index. Laramie scores 85 compared to 81 for Rock Springs, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Laramie can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Laramie is $933/month compared to $943/month in Rock Springs — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Laramie has cheaper rent, Rock Springs actually has lower median home values ($245,600 vs $302,200).

Median household income in Laramie is $52,414 compared to $73,307 in Rock Springs (-28.5%). Rock Springs offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Laramie spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, more than the 15.4% in Rock Springs.