City Comparison
Casper vs Riverton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Riverton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Casper
Riverton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Riverton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Casper.
| Metric | Casper | Riverton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,198 | $1,150 | +4% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $257 | $170 | +51% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $1,720 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Casper offers 54% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Casper is estimated at
$54,000 vs $45,000 in Riverton.
| Metric | Casper | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,133 | $36,500 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $72,156 | $55,208 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Riverton comes out ahead with 22 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Casper sees 5.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Casper | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.30°F | 48.20°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 85.90°F |
| Winter Low | 19.10°F | 15.20°F |
| Rainfall | 13.30 in | 9.80 in |
| Snowfall | 29.80 in | 24.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 292 | 314 |
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Casper scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Casper leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Casper | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Casper is the larger city
— approximately 5.4x the population of Riverton.
From a growth perspective, Riverton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Casper has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Casper | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,997 | 10,978 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | 0.62% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Casper
Advantages
No state income tax, saving residents a significant portion of their earnings.
Affordable housing market with median home prices and rental rates well below national averages.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, fishing, and skiing, with natural beauty readily accessible.
Short commute times and minimal traffic congestion, averaging around 13-20 minutes.
A strong sense of community and a grounded lifestyle, appealing to those seeking a less hectic pace.
Drawbacks
Relentless wind is a constant factor, particularly noticeable in spring.
Winters can be harsh and cold, with potential for significant snowfall.
Smaller job market and fewer amenities compared to major metropolitan areas.
Geographic distance from major cities can lead to longer travel times for certain services or attractions.
Limited selection for shopping and dining options compared to larger urban centers.
Riverton
Advantages
The average rent in Riverton is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
The median home sale price of $240,000 in August 2026 is considerably below the national average, offering value for homebuyers.
Riverton boasts 314 sunny days annually, providing ample opportunity for outdoor activities.
The average commute time is a short 14.5 minutes, reducing daily travel stress for residents.
New healthcare facilities, such as River Peak Health, are being established, indicating an improvement in healthcare access and services.
Drawbacks
Specific data for unemployment rate, transit score, and walkability score for Riverton is not readily available, indicating potential gaps in public services or data collection.
The economy, while stable, is concentrated in a few sectors (Healthcare, Education, Retail), which might limit job diversity and growth opportunities outside these areas.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transportation options, which could be a drawback for those without personal vehicles.
Detailed, recent crime rate data (2024 or later) to accurately assess safety is not publicly available.
While the cost of living is low, the average individual salary is also modest compared to the national GDP per capita, requiring careful financial planning.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Casper
#236Wyoming, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,198
Avg Salary
$56,133
Cost Index
90
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
292/yr
Avg Temp
49.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Riverton
#178Wyoming, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$36,500
Cost Index
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
314/yr
Avg Temp
48.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.62%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
55
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Casper and Riverton.
Open Cost Calculator