City Comparison
Powell vs Gillette
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gillette scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Powell
Gillette
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Powell | Gillette | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gillette offers 20% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Powell | Gillette |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $81,316 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Powell comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gillette sees 5.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Powell | Gillette |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | 47.30°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 79.60°F |
| Winter Low | 12.10°F | 15.60°F |
| Rainfall | 14.00 in | 17.70 in |
| Snowfall | 33.20 in | 38.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 294 | 279 |
| Humidity | 50.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Powell has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Gillette.
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 | Gillette |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gillette is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Powell.
From a growth perspective, Gillette is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gillette has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Powell | Gillette |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,489 | 33,431 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 2.50% |
| 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.
Gillette
Advantages
Affordable housing compared to national averages, with a median home value of $264,500 in 2024.
Strong job market driven by the energy sector, with major employers like Peabody Energy and Arch Coal.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities in the surrounding natural landscapes.
Close-knit community with a friendly atmosphere and strong community spirit.
Lower cost of living and lower violent crime rate compared to national averages.
Drawbacks
Economy heavily reliant on the volatile energy sector, subject to boom-and-bust cycles.
Limited public transportation options, with a car-dependent culture.
Harsh winter weather conditions.
Fewer cultural and entertainment amenities compared to larger cities.
Crime rate is higher than 92% of Wyoming's cities and towns.
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
Gillette
#14Wyoming, USA
74.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
47.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
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