Choosing Your Wyoming Haven: Casper vs. Cody. Are you ready to make the move to Wyoming, the Cowboy State? The Equality State? Yes, I’m talking about the one and only Wyoming. If you’re considering making this breathtaking state your home, let’s dive into the heart of the matter – where in Wyoming should you plant your roots? Hi, I’m Alisha Collins from the Alisha Collins Real Estate Team and eXp Realty, and I’m here to help you navigate the exciting journey of choosing your Wyoming haven. Picture this: The iconic landscapes of Wyoming stretched before you, but which location holds the key to your dreams? As a proud resident of Casper, I’ll admit I’m bias, but keep in mind that Cody is also a fantastic contender. Join me as we compare these two incredible cities and unravel the details that will guide your decision. Population: With over 58,000 residents, Casper shines as the second-largest city in Wyoming, while Cody boasts a cozier population of just over 10,000. The numbers may tell a story, but there’s much more to explore. Casper’s sprawling 27.24 square miles offer ample space to thrive. Positioned at the base of the stunning Casper Mountain, this city is a hub of activity with the North Platte River meandering through its heart. If amenities and a larger population are your priority, Casper has the upper hand. Nestled amidst the Beartooth and Absaroka Mountains, Cody, with its 10.43 square miles, is a picturesque gem. Just 50 miles from the east gate of Yellowstone National Park, Cody’s stunning vistas and proximity to nature are unparalleled. When it comes to median household income, Casper triumphs, boasting a range around 60K. Cody’s median income hovers between 52K and 55K. In the realm of home prices, Casper prevails with a median price of $286,000 and an average price per sq ft of $145. Cody’s median home price is $517,000, with an average sq ft cost of $237. While Casper’s housing costs tip the scale, the cost-of-living comparison reveals a less than 10% difference between the two cities. Factors like healthcare and groceries even out the equation. Both cities enjoy Wyoming’s enticing state income tax rate: NONE. Casper’s 5% sales tax slightly edges out Cody’s 4%. The climate battle showcases Cody’s lower rainfall (10 inches) and less snow (47 inches) compared to Casper’s 13 inches of rain and 70.3 inches of snow. Casper and Cody share Wyoming’s conservative values. While Cody leans slightly more conservative, both cities echo the state’s political trend. Both cities offer an abundance of outdoor activities. Casper’s proximity to Casper Mountain and the North Platte River promises hiking, skiing, kayaking, and more. Cody, just 50 miles from Yellowstone, opens doors to unparalleled adventure, surrounded by the majestic Beartooth and Absaroka Mountains. Casper, a small-town gem with big city amenities, beckons with its diverse offerings. Cody exudes a warm, small-town charm with a vibrant tourist twist. Cody’s proximity to Yellowstone National Park lends it an edge in the tourism realm. The choice between Casper and Cody is a journey worth taking. Whether you’re drawn to the urban tapestry of Casper or the outdoor wonders of Cody, Wyoming welcomes you with open arms. Remember, the Alisha Collins Real Estate Team is here to help you find your dream home. Let’s make Wyoming the backdrop to your exciting new chapter. Embrace the adventure! Hit that play button and embark on a virtual tour of Casper and Cody. Subscribe for more insights and let’s find your perfect Wyoming haven together. Your new home is just a step away!
The cowboy state, the equality state, wait, what state? Where? Yes, I’m talking about Wyoming. So you decided that you wanna move to Wyoming but what location in the state is a right fit for you? Stick with me and maybe I can help you shed a little light on your big decision. Hi, I’m Alisha Collins, with the Alisha Collins Real Estate Team in Casper, Wyoming. If you’ve watched any of my other videos you might have noticed I’m a bit partial to Casper but I’ll admit Casper isn’t the only great city in Wyoming to consider. So for comparison’s sake, let’s compare Casper to Cody. Let’s start with some statistics.
How about population? Cody has a smaller population with just a little over 10,000 inhabitants compared to Casper’s 58,000. Cody just barely misses out on the top 10 largest cities by population sitting at number 11, while Casper is the second largest city in Wyoming. So if you’re looking for a location with a larger population and more amenities, Casper wins. Which one is larger by area? Casper, of course, but even with the population almost six times the size the land area of the city is not six times larger than Cody. Cody is 10.43 square miles which is a little more than one third the size of Casper. Casper is 27.27 square miles.
Location, location, location. Cody’s biggest location benefit is that it is only 50 miles from the east gate of Yellowstone National Park. Cody is located east of the Continental Divide but it is in the northwestern part of Wyoming and is relatively close to the Montana border. Actually, it’s just 105 miles away from Billings, Montana which is Montana’s most populated city. Cody is northwest of Casper. It is about a three and a half hour drive. Cody has some amazing views since it sits between the Beartooth and the Absaroka Mountains and it is located right along the Shoshone River. Casper, on the other hand sits a little closer to the center of the state. Not exactly center, but close enough to be able to get to just about anywhere in the state within a few hours. For example, it is about three and a half hours from Cody but it’s just over two hours to drive to Sheridan, Laramie or Cheyenne from Casper. Casper sits at the base of beautiful Casper Mountain with the North Platte River running right through town. Both locations have some excellent features mountains, rivers, and more. You will just have to decide which location feature is best for you.
What about median household income? Depending on the source you check Casper’s median income is right around $60,000 a year. Cody’s median income is slightly lower at somewhere between 52 and 55,000 a year. Again, depending on the source. So at face value, Casper wins this one, but what about home prices?
The median home price in Casper sits around 286,000 with an average per square foot price of 145. Cody’s median home price is 517,000, with an average square foot cost of $237. Okay, with Casper’s median income higher and the cost of homes lower, I would say that there’s a resounding win in the Casper column, at least when it comes to the ability to purchase a home. According to bestplaces.net, the cost of living in Casper is lower than the cost of living in Cody. With the housing cost difference you would think that the overall cost of living would be quite a lot lower but bestplaces.net includes things like cost of healthcare and groceries into their calculation so some other factors may cost a little more in Casper than in Cody, bringing the overall cost of the difference down to just 10%.
Since both cities are in Wyoming they both have the great state income tax rate of none. So, I guess tax wise we could compare sales tax. Both are relatively low. Cody is sitting at 4% compared to Casper’s, 5%. 1% difference doesn’t seem that large but it can also add up on those larger purchases. It looks like Cody wins with the lower sales tax. Since the state’s sales tax is 4%, technically Cody has one of the lowest in the state.
Climate and weather are relatively similar in both Cody and Casper. But due to the differences in terrain there are a few things that are not the same. When it comes to rainfall Cody actually gets less rain than Casper, 10 inches per year compared to Casper’s 13 inches a year. Casper also gets more snow averaging 70.3 inches per year compared to Cody’s 47 more. Snow is great if you like to ski, snowboard, et cetera.
Another thing that Cody has less of than Casper is wind. If you were to ask residents of just about any Wyoming city which city is windier, it would probably start an argument because everyone thinks their city wins this one. If you wanna know more about the wind situation in Wyoming check out my video on Wyoming wind to learn more. The truth is, depending on the day, any city could really win when it comes to wind gusts. However, average wind speed is another situation. If higher wind wins, then Cody loses the comparison. Cody has an annual average of about 7.4 miles per hour compared to 12 miles per hour average for Casper. weatherspark.com has a neat comparison tool where you can see how the different weathers stats stack up on the same chart. It looks like Cody and Casper have very similar temperatures throughout the year. Casper’s average temperature range throughout the year is from 18 to 88, and Cody ranges from 17 to 83.
What about the political climate? I am sure it comes to no surprise that Wyoming tends to have a reputation of being pretty conservative, and both Casper and Cody follow that trend closely. Middle of the year, voter registration shows that Cody is a little more conservative than Casper. Casper or rather, Natrona County has about 72.5% of total voters registered as Republicans compared to Park County, where Cody is located with 80.5%. In both counties, there are a number of unregistered voters and a very small number of voters registered for our alternative parties. The percentage of voters registered as Democrats in Park County is 7.9% which is lower than Natrona County’s 13%. These percentages tend to shift a little bit in election years and especially around election time but definitely stay on the conservative side of things.
How does Cody compare to Casper for access to the great outdoors? This one is a little bit more difficult and I am a bit biased because I live in Casper but in general, Wyoming offers wonderful outdoor activities. Casper’s located at the base of Casper Mountain with hiking, skiing and other snow sports, mountain biking and camping all within 15 minutes of town, plus with the river running right through the city, kayaking, fishing and floating the river are minutes from home as well. I think it almost goes without saying that since Cody is just 50 miles from Yellowstone National Park that there are some awesome outdoor activities fairly close to Cody. It’s a little further to go but a bigger backyard, so to speak. In addition to the obvious at the Yellowstone National Park Cody does have the Shoshone River running right through it so you can definitely enjoy all the river activities like kayaking and fishing. Sleeping Giant Ski Area is just over an hour from Cody but by comparison, Casper Hogadon Basin Ski Area in Casper which is just over 10 miles from the center of Casper. There are many opportunities for hiking, biking, camping snowmobiling, Alpine and Nordic skiing and more. Casper has three reservoirs within an hour of the city. Cody has several smaller lakes that are great for fishing and Buffalo Bill Reservoir is just a few miles outside of the city, so yep access to boating activities are available right there as well. Both cities have many great outdoor adventures available. Cody has more mountains in close proximity to Yellowstone National Park. While Casper has maybe a bit easier access to the outdoor fun as most things are closer to the city. Both cities are great locations if you’re looking for outdoor fun.
How about the vibe of each city? Well, that one is also a bit harder for me to be biased. I do live, work and play in Casper. My impression of Cody it is a very nice and friendly small town vibe area, maybe even more so than Casper. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Small town feel is what Wyoming is known for. In comparison to Cody, I would say that Casper feels a little more like a small town with the amenities of a big city. Well, the Wyoming version of a big city.
Anyway, another big difference between Cody and Casper is linked to the largest industry in Cody, tourism. Cody is a bit more of a tourist destination than Casper. Cody’s proximity to Yellowstone, as we’ve said a few times really comes into play. On several lists of places to visit Wyoming, Cody comes in higher than Casper. Don’t get me wrong, Casper makes a showing on these lists as well and it is a great place to visit for many reasons including the great outdoors, rich local history and some amazing museums just to name a few. Of course, with Cody as the gateway to one of the nation’s top national parks it really draws in the visitors so they cater a touch more to the tourist crowd. Main Street is full of fun shops nightly rodeos throughout the summer, and of course the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is an amazing museum full of many of the things wild and west you could want to see.
There you have it, Casper versus Cody. I will leave it up to you to decide which is the right city for you. Of course, if it is Casper or our surrounding areas, give me a call. We love to help you find the home of your dreams. We love talking to all of you. We love to hear all the things you have to say in the comments, and we can’t wait to meet you. My team and I have time for you and if it’s not in our surrounding areas then we can find an agent that would be perfect for you in those other areas, including Cody, remember we want you to love where you live. See you soon.