City Comparison
Powell vs Riverton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Powell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Powell
Riverton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Riverton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Powell.
Housing costs are a major driver: Powell's average rent is
17% lower than Riverton's.
| Metric | Powell | Riverton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,150 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $1,720 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Powell offers 42% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Powell is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Riverton.
| Metric | Powell | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $36,500 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $55,208 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Riverton comes out ahead with 20 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Powell sees 8.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Powell | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | 48.20°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 85.90°F |
| Winter Low | 12.10°F | 15.20°F |
| Rainfall | 14.00 in | 9.80 in |
| Snowfall | 33.20 in | 24.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 294 | 314 |
| Humidity | 50.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 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 | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Riverton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x 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 | Riverton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,489 | 10,978 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.62% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.20% |
| 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.
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.
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
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 Powell and Riverton.
Open Cost Calculator