City Comparison
Riverton vs Cheyenne
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Riverton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Riverton
Cheyenne
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Riverton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
39% lower than in Cheyenne.
Housing costs are a major driver: Riverton's average rent is
16% lower than Cheyenne's.
| Metric | Riverton | Cheyenne | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,367 | -16% |
| Groceries | $400 | $705 | -43% |
| Utilities | $170 | $352 | -52% |
| Transport | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $141 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $2,815 | -39% |
| Cost Index | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cheyenne offers 33% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Riverton is estimated at
$45,000 vs $75,000 in Cheyenne.
| Metric | Riverton | Cheyenne |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $36,500 | $54,402 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $75,000 |
| Household Income | $55,208 | $78,839 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Riverton runs warmer on average — a 48.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Riverton comes out ahead with 314 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Riverton sees 24.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Riverton | Cheyenne |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 9.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 314 | |
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Cheyenne scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cheyenne leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Riverton | Cheyenne |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | — | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cheyenne is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Riverton.
From a growth perspective, Riverton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Riverton | Cheyenne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,978 | 66,580 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.62% | 0.11% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Cheyenne
Advantages
Cheyenne's unemployment rate of 3.7% (Q4 2024) is lower than the national average, indicating a healthy job market.
The average commute time in Cheyenne is only 16 minutes, significantly shorter than many other U.S. cities.
Overall crime rates in Cheyenne decreased by 8% in 2025 compared to 2024, and continued to decline by 12.4% in 2026.
The cost of living in Cheyenne is comparable to the national average, with utilities being 5.2% lower.
Cheyenne offers a strong sense of community and rich Western heritage, highlighted by events like Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Drawbacks
Cheyenne's crime rate is higher than 99% of other communities within Wyoming and higher than average for cities of similar population size.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Groceries in Cheyenne are approximately 1.7% pricier than the national average.
While overall healthcare costs are lower, a doctor's visit without insurance can be 16.2% higher than the national average.
The city experiences cold and long winters with significant snowfall.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Cheyenne
#578Wyoming, USA
46.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,367
Avg Salary
$54,402
Cost Index
100
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.11%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
72
Business
65
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