State Comparison

Colorado vs Wyoming

Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics including taxes, housing costs, cost of living, wages, and insurance — powered by verified government data.

Overall Score

8
Colorado
CO
vs
of 16 metrics
8
Wyoming
WY

Cost of Living

Cost of Living Index
CO: 105.1
WY: 95.2
WY

Housing

Median Home Price
CO: $530,000
WY: $310,000
WY
Median 2BR Rent
CO: $1,625/mo
WY: $920/mo
WY
Closing Costs
CO: 2.20%
WY: 2.30%
CO
Transfer Tax Rate
CO: 0.01%
WY: 0.00%
WY

Taxes

Property Tax Rate
CO: 0.51%
WY: 0.61%
CO
Top Income Tax Rate
CO: 4.40%
WY: None
WY
Sales Tax Rate
CO: 2.90%
WY: 4.00%
CO
Capital Gains Tax Rate
CO: 4.40%
WY: None
WY

Income & Employment

Median Household Income
CO: $82,254
WY: $65,003
CO
Minimum Wage
CO: $14.81/hr
WY: $7.25/hr
CO
Max Unemployment Benefit
CO: $643/wk
WY: $508/wk
CO

Business

LLC Filing Fee
CO: $50
WY: $100
CO
LLC Annual Fee
CO: $10
WY: $60
CO

Insurance & Living

Avg Car Insurance
CO: $2,050/yr
WY: $1,420/yr
WY
Avg Home Insurance
CO: $2,820/yr
WY: $1,450/yr
WY

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Both states are evenly matched, each winning in 8 metrics — your decision should depend on which factors matter most to you.

  • 2

    Housing: Median home prices are $530,000 in Colorado vs $310,000 in Wyoming — a $220,000 difference.

  • 3

    Taxes: Colorado has a 4.4% top income tax rate while Wyoming has no income tax. Property tax rates are 0.51% vs 0.61%.

  • 4

    Cost of Living: Colorado's index is 105.1 and Wyoming's is 95.2 (national average = 100).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colorado or Wyoming more affordable?

Wyoming has a lower cost of living index (95.2) compared to Colorado (105.1), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.

Which state has lower taxes — Colorado or Wyoming?

Overall, Wyoming has a lower combined tax burden. Colorado has a 4.4% top income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax. Wyoming has no income tax, 4% sales tax, and 0.61% property tax.

What are housing costs in Colorado vs Wyoming?

The median home price in Colorado is $530,000 compared to $310,000 in Wyoming. For renters, a 2-bedroom apartment averages $1,625/month in Colorado vs $920/month in Wyoming.

Which state is better for starting a business — Colorado or Wyoming?

LLC filing costs are $50 in Colorado vs $100 in Wyoming, with annual fees of $10 and $60 respectively. Colorado's 4.4% top tax rate compared to Wyoming's tax-free status may also factor into your decision.

Should I move from Colorado to Wyoming?

It depends on your priorities. Wyoming wins in 8 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.

Comparing Colorado and Wyoming

When deciding between living in Colorado or Wyoming, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rent data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to give you a comprehensive overview.

Colorado (CO) has a median household income of $82,254 with a cost of living index of 105.1. Wyoming (WY) has a median household income of $65,003 with a cost of living index of 95.2.

These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Colorado calculator or Wyoming calculator to model your specific financial scenario.

Data sources: Census Bureau ACS, Tax Foundation, HUD FMR, BLS. Last verified January 2026. Calculators provide estimates only — consult a qualified professional for financial advice.