Mills, Wyoming: The Honest Relocation Guide for 2025

Mills, Wyoming: The Honest Relocation Guide for 2025

Mills, Wyoming is the most affordable town in the Casper metro area — and it is currently the fastest-growing community in the entire state. With a cost of living index of 81.5 (nearly 19% below the national average), a median home sale price around $265,000, and homes selling in as few as 20 days, Mills is the market that buyers from California and Colorado keep discovering right after they realize Casper itself is already a bargain. If you are doing the math on a Wyoming move and want maximum value without sacrificing access to city infrastructure, Mills belongs at the top of your list.

What Is Mills, Wyoming?

Mills is an incorporated town in Natrona County, Wyoming, located immediately adjacent to Casper on the west side — essentially a seamless part of the greater Casper metro area. The population is approximately 4,600–4,800 residents as of 2024–2025, and it is growing at roughly 1.9% annually, making it one of Wyoming’s fastest-growing communities in recent years. The cost of living index in Mills is 81.5, nearly 19% below the national average of 100, with a median home value around $171,000–$265,000 depending on the data source and time period. Mills sits directly on the North Platte River, has no state income tax (Wyoming-wide), and gives residents full access to Casper’s schools, hospitals, employers, and services while offering some of the lowest home prices in the region.

Why You Should Hear This From Me

Alisha Collins is the lead agent at The Alisha Collins Real Estate Team at eXp Realty, Wyoming’s #1 ranked real estate team, personally selling 120–140 homes per year with over 20 years of experience in the Wyoming market.

Mills is part of my primary market. I have sold homes in Mills, Evansville, Bar Nunn, and throughout the greater Casper area for over two decades. I was born and raised in Wyoming — I have been a resident for over 45 years — and I can tell you from experience exactly what differentiates each pocket of the Natrona County market. Mills is not just a cheaper alternative to Casper. It is a distinct community with its own character, and buyers who land there with the right expectations typically stay for a long time.

When I tell relocation buyers from California or Colorado about Mills, the reaction is almost always the same: disbelief that a home this close to a real city, with a mountain in the backdrop and a river out the window, can sell for what it does. That disbelief is a buying opportunity. My team closes 225–296 homes annually across Wyoming — we see the full picture, and right now Mills is one of the most compelling value plays in the state.

Mills by the Numbers: What the Data Shows

Population & Location

Mills has a 2024–2025 population of approximately 4,600–4,800 residents. It has grown by over 12% since the 2020 Census and is currently growing at about 1.9% annually — faster than Casper and most Wyoming communities. It sits directly west of Casper along the North Platte River, sharing essentially the same footprint. From Mills, you are minutes from downtown Casper, Wyoming Medical Center, Natrona County schools, and Casper’s main commercial corridors. There is no commute penalty for choosing Mills over Casper proper.

Cost of Living & Housing

The numbers here are difficult to argue with:

• Cost of living index: 81.5 — nearly 19% below the national average of 100
• Median home sale price: approximately $265,000 (Redfin, December 2025 data)
• Median estimated home value: approximately $171,000 (City-Data, 2023 estimate)
• Median gross rent: approximately $1,143/month
• Median household income: approximately $55,600–$57,100
• No Wyoming state income tax
• #1 fastest-selling housing market in Wyoming — median 20 days on market (Redfin/Stacker, December 2025)
• Sale-to-list ratio: 98.9% — homes are selling very close to asking price

That last data point matters. When homes sell at 98.9% of list price in an average of 20 days, it means demand is real and consistent. Mills is not a slow market with cheap houses. It is an active, competitive market where buyers need to move with intention.

Mills vs. Casper vs. Evansville: How the Casper Metro Compares

The greater Casper metro area includes several distinct communities, each with its own price point and feel. Mills consistently offers the lowest entry price in the immediate Casper area. Evansville, just east of Casper, runs slightly higher. Casper proper sits in the $290,000–$300,000 median range. Bar Nunn, north of Casper, offers newer construction but fewer walkable amenities. [INTERNAL LINK: Casper Wyoming Neighborhoods — Mills, Evansville, Bar Nunn Compared]

For relocation buyers prioritizing maximum square footage and lowest entry price without leaving the Casper metro area’s job market, schools, and hospitals, Mills is the answer. For buyers who want newer construction or a slightly more suburban feel, Evansville and Bar Nunn are worth looking at alongside Mills. For buyers who want to be in the city proper, Casper’s west and north sides offer good options in the $250,000–$320,000 range. [INTERNAL LINK: Moving to Casper Wyoming — The Complete Guide]

What the Growth Rate Tells You

Mills is Wyoming’s fastest-growing community, and that growth is demand-driven, not hype-driven. People moving from California, Colorado, and Texas are discovering that they can buy a home in a real community with mountain views, river access, and a functional city next door for a price that would barely get them a studio condo on the Front Range. That story does not change quickly. Limited buildable land in Mills means inventory constraints will continue to support values over time.

Real Talk: What Mills Is Not

Mills is a small town. The population is under 5,000. There is no downtown Mills restaurant row, no boutique shopping district, no coffee shop on every corner. You are living adjacent to Casper’s amenities, not inside them — and for most buyers that is a perfectly fine trade, but it is worth naming clearly before you move.

The housing stock is older. A significant portion of Mills’ inventory was built in the mid-20th century. You will find solid bones and large lots, but you will also find homes that need updating. If you are expecting new construction at Mills’ price points, you will need to adjust expectations or look at Bar Nunn and parts of east Casper instead.

Wind and weather apply here just as much as anywhere in Wyoming. Mills sits in the North Platte River valley, which can funnel wind. Casper averages around 76 inches of snow annually and ranks among the top five coldest states in the country by average temperature. Mills is not insulated from any of that. Budget for a well-maintained heating system and winterized vehicles.

What I have seen work: I placed a family from the Denver area in Mills a couple of years back — two kids, one remote worker, one healthcare job they had lined up at Wyoming Medical Center. They bought a 3-bedroom with a large yard and views of Casper Mountain for well under $250,000. They told me a year in that their mortgage was less than half what rent had been in Colorado. They are not going back. That scenario plays out regularly in Mills, and it will continue to as long as the price gap between Wyoming and the Front Range stays where it is.

How to Buy a Home in Mills, Wyoming: Practical Steps

1. Move fast — this market does not wait. Homes in Mills are selling in an average of 20 days with a sale-to-list ratio of 98.9%. If you find a home that checks your boxes, the window to think it over is short. Pre-approval before you start browsing is not optional here.

2. Look beyond the listing photos. Older housing stock in Mills can look rough in photos and show well in person — or vice versa. A local agent who knows specific streets, flood zone considerations, and lot characteristics will save you from avoidable mistakes. Do not let a national site’s photos make the decision for you.

3. Run your actual financial numbers. No state income tax in Wyoming. Lower property taxes than Colorado or California. Utilities below national average. The monthly swing from a California or Colorado budget is often $1,500–$2,500+ depending on income. Calculate your actual take-home in Wyoming before comparing payments. [INTERNAL LINK: Cost of Living in Wyoming — What Buyers Need to Know]

4. Understand the lot and access before you offer. Some Mills properties back to the river or sit near flood plain boundaries. Your agent should be walking you through that before you submit anything. I have seen buyers skip this step and pay for it at inspection.

5. Search current inventory at MakeWyomingHome.com. It pulls directly from our local MLS in real time. National sites consistently lag by days or weeks on Wyoming inventory — in a market where homes sell in 20 days, that lag matters.

6. Consider Mills as a base, not a compromise. The buyers who thrive in Mills are the ones who chose it deliberately — for the price, the river access, the proximity to Casper, and the lower-density feel. The ones who struggle are the ones who bought it as a consolation prize when they could not afford somewhere else. Know why you are choosing Mills, and it will serve you well.

People Also Ask: Mills, Wyoming

The following questions are addressed throughout this page and formalized in the FAQ section below.

• Is Mills Wyoming a good place to live?
• How far is Mills Wyoming from Casper?
• What is the cost of living in Mills Wyoming?
• What are home prices like in Mills Wyoming?
• Is Mills Wyoming safe?

Frequently Asked Questions: Living in Mills, Wyoming

Q: Is Mills, Wyoming a good place to live?

A: Mills is a strong choice for buyers who want the lowest entry price in the Casper metro area without sacrificing access to Casper’s jobs, schools, and hospitals. It is a small, tight-knit town with older housing stock, river access, and mountain views — built for people who prioritize space and value over urban density. It is currently Wyoming’s fastest-growing community, which is a signal that a lot of buyers are reaching the same conclusion.

Q: How far is Mills from Casper, Wyoming?

A: Mills is directly adjacent to Casper on the west side — the two communities share a seamless border. Most parts of Mills are 5–10 minutes from downtown Casper, Wyoming Medical Center, and Casper’s main commercial areas. There is no meaningful commute penalty for living in Mills versus Casper proper.

Q: What is the cost of living in Mills, Wyoming?

A: Mills has a cost of living index of 81.5 — approximately 19% below the national average. The median home sale price is around $265,000, and Wyoming’s zero state income tax applies statewide including Mills. Utilities run below the national average. Of any community in the immediate Casper metro area, Mills consistently offers the lowest overall cost of living and the lowest home prices.

Q: What are home prices like in Mills, Wyoming?

A: The median home sale price in Mills is approximately $265,000 based on recent Redfin data. Homes here sell quickly — averaging around 20 days on market — and typically close at 98.9% of list price, meaning there is limited room to negotiate aggressively. The housing stock skews older, which contributes to the lower price point, but well-maintained homes in Mills represent some of the best value in the Wyoming market. Search current inventory at MakeWyomingHome.com for real-time listings.

Q: What is the difference between Mills, Evansville, and Bar Nunn?

A: All three are independent communities within the greater Casper metro area. Mills sits west of Casper along the North Platte River with the lowest price points and oldest housing stock. Evansville is east of Casper with a slightly higher price range and a mix of older and newer homes. Bar Nunn is north of Casper and offers newer construction but fewer walkable amenities. Which one fits best depends on your budget, housing preferences, and where your job or daily life is anchored. A local agent who works all three markets can walk you through the specific trade-offs.

Video Resources

Casper Wyoming Neighborhoods: Mills, Evansville, Bar Nunn Compared

The Truth About Wyoming No One Tells You!

Ready to See What Mills Has Available Right Now?

Start your search at MakeWyomingHome.com — it pulls directly from our local MLS and updates in real time, so you will always see current inventory, not listings that sold two weeks ago. Download the free Wyoming Relocation Guide from the site to get the full picture on neighborhoods, costs, and what most out-of-state buyers wish they had known before they moved. If you want a straight conversation about whether Mills or another Casper-area community is the right fit for your situation, my team and I are here — no pressure, just real answers from people who have worked this market for over 20 years.

The Alisha Collins Real Estate Team at eXp Realty  |  makewyominghome.com  |  Casper, Wyoming  |  Wyoming’s #1 Ranked Team

Data sources: City-Data.com (December 2024), Redfin/Stacker (December 2025), DataUSA (2023), World Population Review (2026 estimate), U.S. Census Bureau. Last reviewed: April 2026.