Best Cities for Families in Wyoming
Wyoming ranks #2 of 50 for families, with a families score of 86.8. Jackson is its best city for families at 70.9.
- Wyoming, all states
- #2 of 50
- Population
- 10,756
Why Wyoming Works for Families
Wyoming is one of the very best state for families, ranking #2 out of 50. With strong schools, a low violent crime rate of 179.9 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $75,532, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs are notably affordable with a cost-of-living index of 92.7.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Wyoming shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 81.8%, trailing the national average. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 65/100. Center-based infant care costs $13,120 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Wyoming excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 179.9 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 92.7, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Jackson | A+ | 70.9 | 70.9 | 90 | 91 | 39 | 10,756 |
| 2Green River | B+ | 69.1 | 59.9 | 74 | 94 | 80 | 11,581 |
| 3Douglas | B+ | 67.3 | 59.7 | 79 | 95 | 81 | 6,420 |
| 4Laramie | B+ | 67.2 | 61.1 | 63 | 94 | 78 | 32,234 |
| 5Cody | B+ | 66.9 | 60.1 | 72 | 94 | 74 | 10,276 |
| 6Powell | B | 65.1 | 57.2 | 79 | 84 | 81 | 6,503 |
| 7Gillette | B+ | 64.7 | 60.4 | 64 | 83 | 80 | 33,431 |
| 8Rock Springs | C+ | 64.2 | 53.1 | 56 | 91 | 81 | 23,127 |
| 9Torrington | C | 63.6 | 52.5 | 81 | 81 | 83 | 6,182 |
| 10Evanston | B | 63.3 | 56.5 | 57 | 87 | 81 | 11,800 |
| 11Rawlins | C+ | 63.1 | 53.9 | 72 | 93 | 85 | 8,129 |
| 12Lander | C+ | 63.0 | 55.0 | 80 | — | 78 | 7,432 |
| 13Worland | C+ | 61.9 | 55.7 | 76 | 84 | 86 | 4,794 |
| 14Cheyenne | B+ | 61.3 | 59.5 | 60 | 68 | 72 | 65,239 |
| 15Ranchettes | A | 60.7 | 65.0 | — | — | 64 | 5,949 |
| 16Casper | B | 60.7 | 57.6 | 58 | 73 | 78 | 58,839 |
| 17Buffalo | B | 60.6 | 56.8 | 75 | 95 | 78 | 4,572 |
| 18Sheridan | C+ | 60.1 | 55.5 | 58 | 93 | 77 | 19,285 |
| 19Riverton | D | 52.5 | 45.8 | 65 | 33 | 82 | 10,856 |
| 20South Greeley | F | 52.2 | 40.6 | — | — | 80 | 4,631 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Wyoming for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wyoming a good state for families?
Wyoming ranks #2 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 86.8/100. Its strongest relevant category is Outdoor Access (96/100) and its weakest is Environment (47/100).
What is the best city for families in Wyoming?
Jackson ranks #1 in Wyoming for families with a score of 70.9/100, followed by Green River and Douglas.
What factors are most important for families in Wyoming?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.