Best Cities for Small Business in Wyoming
Why Wyoming Works for Small Business
Wyoming ranks #9 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs β one of the most business-friendly environments in the country. The state's fiscal health score of 79/100 signals a well-managed state government with sustainable finances β the kind of stability that benefits long-term business planning.
Tax policy directly impacts the bottom line. Wyoming's overall tax burden is 5.79% of income, and crucially, there is no state income tax β a major advantage for business owners whose personal and business finances often overlap. The 5.56% combined sales tax rate is moderate and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 48/100) with 3.5% unemployment indicates tight labor markets β good for consumer spending but potentially challenging for hiring.
Population growth of 0.6% is a tailwind β a growing customer base and expanding labor pool benefit most small businesses. Workforce quality may require investment in training β the education score of 37/100 suggests gaps in preparation. Housing at $484,000 median is expensive enough that employee compensation expectations may be higher.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Small Business
| # | City | Grade | Small Business Score | Overall | Fiscal Health | Economy | Growth | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | A+ | 64.8 | 70.9 | 79 | 59 | 33 | 10,746 |
| 2 | Ranchettes | A | 64.5 | 63.2 | 86 | 64 | 50 | 6,389 |
| 3 | Gillette | A | 61.7 | 63.4 | 63 | 65 | 54 | 33,278 |
| 4 | Cheyenne | B+ | 56.7 | 59.4 | 55 | 57 | 50 | 65,163 |
| 5 | Casper | B+ | 54.6 | 59.0 | 50 | 55 | 45 | 58,754 |
| 6 | Green River | B+ | 54.0 | 59.3 | 60 | 47 | 33 | 11,679 |
| 7 | Cody | A | 53.8 | 61.3 | 55 | 40 | 40 | 10,121 |
| 8 | Lander | A | 53.1 | 61.4 | 54 | 41 | 32 | 7,565 |
| 9 | Buffalo | A | 52.5 | 61.3 | 45 | 37 | 39 | 4,516 |
| 10 | Laramie | A | 52.2 | 62.7 | 22 | 51 | 62 | 31,848 |
| 11 | Douglas | A | 51.2 | 60.4 | 44 | 45 | 30 | 6,400 |
| 12 | Sheridan | B+ | 51.1 | 59.8 | 45 | 37 | 47 | 19,035 |
| 13 | Powell | A | 50.9 | 60.7 | 43 | 38 | 36 | 6,466 |
| 14 | Evanston | B | 50.3 | 56.0 | 61 | 43 | 25 | 11,803 |
| 15 | Worland | B+ | 49.7 | 59.4 | 48 | 36 | 25 | 4,788 |
| 16 | Rawlins | B+ | 49.2 | 57.4 | 47 | 40 | 27 | 8,217 |
| 17 | Rock Springs | B | 47.7 | 55.5 | 43 | 42 | 34 | 23,229 |
| 18 | Torrington | B+ | 45.9 | 56.8 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 6,174 |
| 19 | Riverton | C+ | 45.9 | 51.9 | 43 | 34 | 34 | 10,803 |
| 20 | South Greeley | C+ | 41.2 | 51.2 | 15 | 33 | 50 | 4,596 |