City Comparison
Powell vs Cheyenne
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Powell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Powell
Cheyenne
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Powell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Cheyenne.
Housing costs are a major driver: Powell's average rent is
31% lower than Cheyenne's.
| Metric | Powell | Cheyenne | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,367 | -31% |
| Groceries | $380 | $705 | -46% |
| Utilities | $170 | $352 | -52% |
| Transport | $110 | $250 | -56% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $141 | +56% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,815 | -35% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cheyenne offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Powell delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Powell is estimated at
$45,000 vs $75,000 in Cheyenne.
| Metric | Powell | Cheyenne |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $54,402 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 54,402 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $78,839 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Powell runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Powell comes out ahead with 294 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Powell sees 33.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Powell | Cheyenne |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 33.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 294 | |
| Humidity | 50.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Powell scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Powell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Powell | Cheyenne |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cheyenne is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Powell.
From a growth perspective, Powell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Powell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Powell | Cheyenne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,489 | 66,580 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.11% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Powell
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per FBI crime data.
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per US Census Bureau metrics.
Proximity to Yellowstone National Forest provides world-class outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Strong local educational framework anchored by Northwest College and dedicated public school districts.
Welcoming small-town community atmosphere with active local events and low traffic congestion.
Drawbacks
Limited local public transit options necessitate high car dependency for daily needs.
Geographic isolation means specialized shopping, major airports, and advanced medical centers require driving to larger cities.
Winter weather brings harsh freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall that can impact travel.
Limited high-paying corporate job sectors within city limits compared to larger metropolitan economies.
Housing inventory can occasionally be constrained for prospective buyers and renters.
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.
Powell
#90Wyoming, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
294/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
78
Business
67
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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