Outdoors & nature
OCT15
tetoncounty · Jackson, WY
Outdoors & nature
Bird and Nature Club/Native Plant Society
tetoncounty
Hiking and natureOutdoors
Wyoming
Snapshot
Retire by stateFigures verified May 31, 2026
Wyoming retirement guide
Retiring in Wyoming
Wyoming gives you no state income tax and two of the country's great national parks out your door. The trade is hard winters, steady wind, and healthcare that is spread thin.
Could fit
You like wide-open space, want Yellowstone and Grand Teton close, and want zero state tax on your Social Security, pension, or withdrawals.
Look closely at
You want a doctor and city services nearby. Much of Wyoming is remote, the drives are long, and the weather is rough.
Cost of living
$4,625/mo
Using the same $5,000 national monthly example, Wyoming comes out near $4,625 a month.
#16 of 50 for lowest everyday cost, using the same BEA index shown here.
U.S. avg 100
More affordablePricier
Wyoming runs about 7% below the national average on everyday prices.
Cost of recreation
101
Our index of how Wyoming's estimated annual hobby costs compare with the rest of the country.
#18 of 50 for lower estimated recreation cost, using the same hobby-cost model shown here.
U.S. avg 100
More affordablePricier
Wyoming's modeled hobby costs run about 1% above the national average. The modeled average is about $1,023 a year across the activity basket.
Est. Our own measure from 8 modeled hobbies. It uses published state fees where we have them, then adds recurring hobby assumptions like gear, trips, memberships, and upkeep. 100 = national average.
How the plan models Wyoming
The state lines the calculator actually changes.
Start here for the whole state picture. The quick math sits beside the things that change daily life: taxes, home costs, care costs, towns, weather, and what Wyoming actually feels like.
Tax and Medicare
Check the Wyoming income picture.
Estimate how Wyoming treats Social Security, pension income, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, city income tax, and Medicare premium tiers before you build the full journey.
Social Security
Not taxed
Pension
Not taxed
IRA / 401(k)
Not taxed
Cost of living
$4,625/mo
Using the same $5,000 national monthly example, Wyoming prices translate to about $4,625 a month.
BEA Regional Price ParitiesState income tax
None
Wyoming has no broad state income tax, but property tax, insurance, sales tax, vehicle costs, and local prices still belong in the plan. AARP lists Wyoming among states that do not tax IRA and 401(k) distributions in the summary used here.
Tax FoundationSocial Security
Not taxed
Wyoming does not tax Social Security benefits under the current state-tax summary used here.
AARP / IRS Pub. 915Property tax
0.6%
Property tax is local, but the Wyoming state-level planning rate used here is 0.6% of home value. On a $350,000 home, that is about $2,100 a year before county detail.
Tax FoundationSales tax
5.6%
Tax Foundation puts Wyoming's 2026 average combined state and local sales tax near 5.6%, ranked 43 among states in that table.
Tax FoundationVehicle costs
Check cars
Vehicle costs need a separate check in Wyoming because value-based vehicle taxes or registration-linked property taxes can show up in the car budget.
FreeTaxUSA vehicle-tax guideLong-term care in Wyoming
The care cliff, in Wyoming dollars.
CareScout and Genworth 2025 median costs, compared with the national median. Long-term care is a separate planning layer from ordinary Medicare costs.
Assisted living
$5,325/mo
About $63,900 a year, 14% lower than the national median.
Nursing home (semi-private)
$9,916/mo
About $118,990 a year, 3% higher than the national median.
Home caregiver
$8,771/mo
About $105,248 a year, 31% higher than the national median.
Activities & recreation in Wyoming
What there is to do, with the sources.
How the things people retire for actually look in Wyoming. Each links to the full activity guide.
Pickleball & tennisCity of Laramie Pickleball
Laramie's Community Recreation Center offers indoor drop-in pickleball with equipment available for beginners, and Undine Park in Laramie converted a lightly used tennis court into four public pickleball courts. The Cloud Peak Pickleball Association in Buffalo typically plays five to six days a week during outdoor season, reflecting active recreational communities in smaller Wyoming cities.
$342/yrEst.
Estimated annual hobby cost
30 court visits per year, plus paddle replacement, balls, league fees, and small club costs.
Published input
Laramie County Senior Activity Center (Cheyenne) pickleball and recreation activities offered free or at low cost to seniors; exact drop-in fee not published
Laramie County Senior Services · as of 2026Where to go
Arts & cultureCheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum
The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum operates year-round with exhibits, art shows, and community programming centered on Western heritage, while the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper hosts rotating exhibitions, artist events, and community celebrations. The Wyoming Arts Council funds arts organizations and individual artists across the state through its grants program.
$324/yrEst.
Estimated annual hobby cost
8 museum, theater, or cultural visits per year, plus a modest membership or ticket budget.
Published input
Wyoming State Museum (Cheyenne) admission is free for all visitors
Wyoming State Museum - Plan Your Visit · as of 2025Where to go
Social & communityWyoming Department of Health Aging Division
The Wyoming Department of Health Aging Division funds senior centers in every county through the Wyoming Senior Services Board, with each county offering varying programs from congregate meals to transportation and social activities. The Division also operates the Wyoming Pioneer Home in Thermopolis and the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin for residential care needs.
$167/yrEst.
Estimated annual hobby cost
Senior-center, club, class, trip, or program costs beyond any published membership fee.
Published input
Laramie County Senior Activity Center (Cheyenne) services provided free or at low cost to seniors; no annual membership fee published
Laramie County Senior Services - The Center · as of 2026Where to go
FishingWyoming Game and Fish Department
Wyoming residents who have lived in the state for at least 10 years can purchase a lifetime fishing license through Wyoming Game and Fish, with small game and bird lifetime licenses also available. The state's rivers, including the Snake, Green, and North Platte, along with Flaming Gorge Reservoir, offer blue-ribbon trout fishing and other species year-round.
$416/yrEst.
Estimated annual hobby cost
One resident annual license, plus tackle, bait, simple access trips, and replacement gear.
Published input
Wyoming resident annual fishing license
Wyoming Game and Fish Department - License Fee List · as of 2025Where to go
Hiking & trailsGrand Teton National Park Hiking
Grand Teton National Park offers over 250 miles of trails, including accessible paved paths at Colter Bay and the Jenny Lake area with access to Hidden Falls. Yellowstone National Park adds hundreds more miles of boardwalks and backcountry routes, and seniors 62 and older can purchase an America the Beautiful Senior Pass for $80 (lifetime) covering entry to both parks.
$817/yrEst.
Estimated annual hobby cost
12 trail or park visits per year, plus footwear, basic gear, parking, and local travel.
Published input
Wyoming State Parks resident annual day-use pass (1st vehicle); day-use per vehicle $7; early-bird annual discount to $42 (Dec 1-Feb 15)
Published range: $7 to $48.
Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails - Permits and Fees · as of 2026Where to go
Boating & waterWyoming State Parks
Wyoming State Parks maintain boat docks and ramps at several parks around the state, including Hot Springs State Park on the Bighorn River. Flaming Gorge Reservoir on the Utah-Wyoming border and Boysen State Park on the Wind River are two of the most popular motorboating and fishing destinations with public launch access.
$4,340/yrEst.
Estimated annual hobby cost
A modest owned boat, including registration, insurance, storage, maintenance, fuel, and basic upkeep.
Published input
Wyoming watercraft 1-year registration; 3-year registration $80; 1-year with aquatic invasive species decal $40
Published range: $30 to $40.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department - Watercraft Registration · as of 2025GolfCasper Municipal Golf Course
Casper Municipal Golf Course lists a season pass at $672 per year for players age 70 and older, and Cheyenne Recreation's Airport Golf Club offers a nine-hole public course with annual senior passes at $450. Three Crowns Golf Club in Casper is another highly regarded public layout with competitive annual membership rates.
$1,298/yrEst.
Estimated annual hobby cost
24 public rounds per year, plus equipment refresh, range balls, carts, and other course extras.
Published input
Airport Golf Course (City of Cheyenne municipal) 18-hole adult prime season rate (April-November); rates vary by season and tee time
Published range: $20 to $34.
Cheyenne Recreation Department - Golf Division · as of 2025Where to go
GardeningUniversity of Wyoming Master Gardener
The University of Wyoming Extension Master Gardener Program offers training focused on high-altitude gardening, covering composting, water-wise landscaping, raised-bed techniques, season extension with low tunnels, and pest management suited to Wyoming's short growing season. Most of Wyoming sees frost-free windows from early June to mid-September.
$482/yrEst.
Estimated annual hobby cost
Seeds, soil, tools, replacement plants, water, and a modest home or community-garden setup.
Published input
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens admission is entirely free to the public; no community garden plot fee sourced from named WY city program
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens - Visit · as of 2025-2026Where to go
Things to do in Wyoming
What a week can look like.
Yellowstone's geysers and wildlife
Yellowstone runs on geysers, hot springs, and big animals. You can spot wolves and bears here. Boardwalks and pullouts put you in front of the main sights without a long hike.
Grand Teton and the Jackson area
Grand Teton sits just south of Yellowstone. You get sharp mountain views, clear lakes, and the town of Jackson as a base. Plenty of retirees come through, and the parks sell a lot of senior passes each year.
U.S. NewsGuided tours built for easier pacing
Some local operators run Yellowstone tours built around short walks and regular rest stops. That keeps the big parks within reach if you want a gentler pace.
Yellowstone GuidelinesWhat to know about Wyoming
What can change the month.
No state income tax
Wyoming has no state income tax. Your Social Security, pension, and 401(k) or IRA withdrawals are not taxed by the state. There is also no state estate or inheritance tax.
Wyoming Retirement SystemStrong wind and hard winters
The wind here is strong and steady, and winters are cold and snowy. Forecasts often call gusts well over 40 miles per hour. Heating, winter driving, and snow removal are just part of the year across much of the state.
National Weather ServiceRemote services and healthcare
Wyoming is one of the least densely populated states. Towns sit far apart, and a specialist or larger hospital can be a long drive. If you expect frequent medical visits, map out your access before you move.
Wyoming Retirement SystemThings to do in Wyoming
What there is to do across Wyoming.
1 tracked categories across Wyoming. Each card opens the search filtered to that activity.
Upcoming events in Wyoming
See all eventsCommunity & civic
OCT15
tetoncounty · Jackson, WY
Community & civic
General Election Candidate Forums: House District 23 & County Assessor
tetoncounty
Come hear from the candidates for Teton County Assessor and House District 23. Presented by Teton County Library, The League of Women Voters, The Jackson Hole News&Guide, KHOL 89.1 Jackson Community Radio, and Buckrail.
IndoorsBring the grandkids
Lifelong learning
OCT15
campbellcounty · Gillette, WY
Lifelong learning
CCPL Genealogy Consultations: 1-on-1
campbellcounty
Classes and talksIndoors
Lifelong learning
OCT15
campbellcounty · Gillette, WY
Lifelong learning
CCPL Genealogy Consultations: Drop-In
campbellcounty
Classes and talksIndoors
Community & civic
OCT15
campbellcounty · Gillette, WY
Community & civic
Diabetes Support Group
campbellcounty
Help with support disease
Bring the grandkids
Community & civic
OCT16
campbellcounty · Gillette, WY
Community & civic
CCPL Skill Building 1-on-1
campbellcounty
Bring the grandkids
Weighing two states?
Put Wyoming next to another state.
Compare cost of living, taxes, Social Security treatment, property and sales tax, and long-term-care costs side by side.
Common questions
Retiring in Wyoming, answered.
Does Wyoming tax retirement income?
Wyoming does not tax Social Security benefits under the current state-tax summary used here. AARP lists Wyoming among states that do not tax IRA and 401(k) distributions in the summary used here. Wyoming has no broad state income tax, but property tax, insurance, sales tax, vehicle costs, and local prices still belong in the plan.
AARP: how states tax retirement incomeIs Wyoming cheaper or more expensive than average?
BEA regional price parities put Wyoming about 7.3% below the U.S. average cost level. That price level is the first reason a national retirement number needs a Wyoming translation.
BEA Regional Price ParitiesWhat does long-term care cost in Wyoming?
In the CareScout and Genworth 2025 medians, Wyoming assisted living runs about $63,900 a year (14% lower than the national median) and a semi-private nursing-home room about $118,990 a year (3% higher than the national median).
CareScout / Genworth Cost of CareDoes Wyoming tax retirement income?
No. Wyoming has no state income tax, so your Social Security, pension, and retirement account withdrawals are not taxed by the state. There is also no state estate or inheritance tax.
Wyoming Retirement SystemSources
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