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Independent Living in Wyoming
In the search for senior living, Wyoming should be at the top of the list for anyone seeking a quiet retirement surrounded by spectacular scenery and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.
“Big Wyoming” is actually the least populous U.S. state, with roughly the same amount of total residents as the country’s 30th most populous city — the metro area of Wyoming’s capital and largest city, Cheyenne, has only around 86,000 people. It’s the vastness of the state’s landscape, rather, that earns Wyoming its nickname and draws millions of tourists every year. Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 and known for both its wildlife and its size, is the country’s first national park and Wyoming’s most prominent attraction. Also in the state’s popular northwestern region are the jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park and the valley known as Jackson Hole. Wyoming’s other natural wonders include the national monuments Devils Tower and Fossil Butte, along with several subranges of the Rockies such as the Granite Mountains, Bighorn Mountains, and Laramie Mountains.
The median monthly cost of independent living in Wyoming is about $2,400. Currently, A Place for Mom partners with five independent living communities in Wyoming.
Top cities in Wyoming
Wyoming Independent Living Regulations
Each state regulates senior living communities differently. Because independent living is often provided by assisted living communities, states may regulate independent living within their guidelines for assisted living. You can use APFM’s guide to assisted living regulations to learn more about access to community records in Wyoming.
In Wyoming, independent living communities — also known simply as retirement communities — are geared towards seniors who are able to live on their own, without daily assistance, and prefer to live among people their age. This usually means residents are self-sufficient and do not require hands-on care. Think of independent living communities as age-restricted (typically 55+) complexes, which provide organized activities, meal services, and transportation.
Cost of Living
Overall, the cost of living in Wyoming is considered to be more affordable than the national average. All index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.
Price Indexes
- Cost of Living: 91
- Groceries: 99
- Housing: 72
- Utilities: 87
- Transportation: 99
Demographics
About 17% of Wyoming’s population are seniors. In the 2016 presidential election, Wyoming leaned strongly conservative.
2016 Presidential Election
- 22% voted Democratic
- 67% voted Republican
- 11% voted third party
Population
- Median age: 38
- Over the age of 55: 30%
- 2018 population: 577,737
- 2020 population: 575,350
- Estimated 2025 population: 569,427
Miscellaneous
- 38% regularly attend a religious service
- 34% consider themselves atheist, agnostic, or a non-believer
- The state has a total of 948 congregations
- There are 46 Masonic lodges in the state
Climate and Weather
With significant changes in elevation throughout the state, Wyoming has several different climate classifications. In the grasslands of the state’s eastern region — which is part of the Great Plains — the climate is largely classified as cold semi-arid or warm-summer humid continental, with a potential for extreme temperature swings in both summer and winter, and not much precipitation. In the many mountain ranges spread across Wyoming’s central and western regions, temperatures become much cooler, with climate classifications including subarctic and tundra in the higher elevations. Some mountainous areas receive abundant snowfall throughout the year.
Humidity and Precipitation
- Average humidity level: 57%
- Average monthly precipitation: 1”
- Average maximum monthly precipitation: 4” (May)
Air Quality
- Average air quality index rating: 43 (Good)
- Average maximum air quality rating: 60 in August (Moderate)
Moderate air quality means that those who are sensitive to particulates in the air should limit the amount of time they spend on outdoor exertion.
Seasonal Temperatures
- Average temperature: 43°F
- Average summer temperature: 65°F
- Typical summer high: 93°F (July)
- Typical summer low: 34°F (June)
- Average winter temperature: 22°F
- Typical winter high: 46°F (February)
- Typical winter low: -7°F (January)
Cities in Wyoming
and surrounding area
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