City Comparison
Casper vs Rock Springs
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Casper scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Casper
Rock Springs
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rock Springs is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
63% lower than in Casper.
Housing costs are a major driver: Casper's average rent is
42% higher than Rock Springs's.
| Metric | Casper | Rock Springs | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,198 | $846 | +42% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $257 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $846 | +169% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Casper offers similar average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Casper is estimated at
$54,000 vs $33,840 in Rock Springs.
| Metric | Casper | Rock Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,133 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $33,840 |
| Household Income | $72,156 | $69,168 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Casper runs warmer on average — a 49.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Casper comes out ahead with 292 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Casper sees 29.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Casper | Rock Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 13.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 29.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 292 | |
| Humidity | % | 83.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Casper has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Rock Springs.
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 | Rock Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Casper is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Rock Springs.
From a growth perspective, Casper 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 | Rock Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,997 | 23,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | — |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.9 |
| 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.
Rock Springs
Advantages
Affordable housing market with a median home value around $256,200.
Lower average rent for apartments compared to the national average, with 1-bedroom apartments averaging $846/month.
Shorter average commute times of 22.5 minutes compared to the national average.
Access to outdoor recreation, including Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
A strong sense of community rooted in a diverse historical immigrant population.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with low walkability and transit scores (Walk Score of 26).
Conflicting reports on crime rates, with some indicating rates higher than the national average.
Limited amenities and potentially lower quality of life scores in certain categories.
Population is projected to decline slightly annually.
No reliable data found for average individual salary or unemployment rate for the city.
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
Rock Springs
#318Wyoming, USA
60.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$846
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
95
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
65
Business
60
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