16 Pros and Cons of Living in Casper, WY

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No matter what town you choose to move to, there will be pros and cons.

The same applies to Casper, WY. While Casper is a beautiful town, it’s quite small.

Casper has a population of 60,000 people.

Most people who live here enjoy all the adventures Casper has to offer.

But besides the obvious, there are also several disadvantages to living here.

Continue reading to learn about the pros and cons of living in Casper, WY to help you make an informed decision.

Pros of Living in Casper, WY

1. Plenty of Outdoor Amenities

Casper is perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors, as it has many open spaces and plenty of amenities.

There are plenty of excellent healthcare facilities, skiing destinations, and schools here within proximity of one another.

So, whether you enjoy walking, hiking, or biking, get ready, because Casper has a lot to offer residents who live here.

2. Thriving Downtown Area

Downtown Casper is exciting and thriving.

The heart of downtown Casper is David Street Station.

Here you’ll find plenty of vendor space, an ice rink, a community stage, a splash pad, and much more.

The good news is that the downtown area is continuously expanding, filling up with some of the best retail stores, such as Marshalls and Kohl.

Also, there are plenty of breweries and restaurants for locals to enjoy.

3. Excellent for Jobs and Education

Whether you’re looking for a good job or a great education, Casper offers it all.

One of the largest community colleges in the state of Wyoming, known as Casper College, is located right in the city.

There are many degree options for students to take advantage of.

If you’re graduating from college or looking for a better career opportunity, you’ll be happy to know that Casper offers an abundance of jobs in various industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, business, and more.

4. Affordable City

The average home value in Casper is about $278,000.

This is much lower than the national average.

Also, compared to Denver, Washington, and California, the housing market is thousands of dollars cheaper.

Many people are relocating from those areas to Casper just for this very reason.

Additionally, many homeowners can take advantage of rural development grants to help them lower the cost of their homes even more.

5. Great for Networking & Meeting People

If you consider yourself a social butterfly, Casper provides plenty of opportunities for community involvement.

For example, the Rotary of Casper is a club in which residents can become a part of supporting educational programs locally.

There are other programs, including Reville Rotary of Casper, Five Trails Rotary, and Rotaract of Casper that allow people to network and make new friends, all for a good cause.

6. Vibrant Arts & Culture Scene

Casper has an excellent arts and culture scene.

Some of the best museums and art galleries are located in town, showcasing both regional and local artists.

If you are an art enthusiast, check out the Nicolaysen Art Museum.

It is an exhibit that features a wide collection of photography, art, and sculpture.

Also, there are plenty of frequent events that take place here for people to interact with the community.

7. Favorable Tax Rate

Another advantage of living in Casper is the favorable tax rate.

Wyoming is one of the few states in the country that doesn’t have any state income taxes.

So, what does this mean for you?

It means that you can hold on to more of your earnings compared to other states.

But, while Wyoming has no state income taxes, a sales tax does exist.

But even still, Casper’s sales taxes are still relatively low compared to other cities in the U.S.

8. Great for Commuting

While the public transportation system in Casper isn’t extensive, it does offer bus services via CATC.

Residents who are in need of transportation but without a vehicle can rely on CATC to get them where they need to go.

If you are a frequent air traveler, you will find that Casper offers easy access to major airports.

Casper also has its very own airport in town that offers residents flights to areas around the country.

Cons of Living in Casper, WY

1. Extreme Weather

Casper can have some pretty extreme weather conditions.

In the summer, temperatures can be extremely hot, while in the winter, they can be really cold.

The average temperature in January in Casper is only 18 degrees Fahrenheit.

In July, temperatures average around 83 degrees Fahrenheit.

The overall yearly average precipitation is 13 inches.

However, in the winter, Casper can see an average of 39.8 inches of snow.

If you are unable to adjust to the significant changes in weather, Casper may not be ideal for you.

2. Isolated City

Casper is an isolated town, and this may or may not be ideal for some.

It really depends on the type of lifestyle you’re looking forward to.

In terms of cultural attractions and nightlife, there isn’t much to do in Casper.

Of course, if you love the outdoors, the opposite is true, as there is much more in terms of outdoor recreational activities.

3. Public Transportation Is Limited

While public transportation is present in Casper and may be beneficial for some, overall, the system is lacking.

In total, Casper Area Transit only has a total of 12 service buses that can transport anywhere between 6 and 18 passengers at a time, which isn’t very much.

If you are someone who is going to need to rely on public transportation, you may want to consider owning a vehicle here.

4. Small Job Market

Casper may be great for some looking for jobs, depending on the industry you work in.

As mentioned earlier, Casper provides plenty of jobs in industries including healthcare, business, energy, and a few others.

However, if none of these industries are your specialty, you may struggle to find work here.

For example, if you’re an unskilled worker without a degree or trade, you may have trouble finding work.

It’s always advised that you have your career set up before moving to a new location.

5. Low Minimum Wage

The minimum wage in Casper is only $7.25 an hour.

The minimum wage in the state of Wyoming is even lower.

This means that in order to really have a good quality of life in Casper, you must earn more than the minimum wage.

The average adult should make at least $15.08 per hour without children and $30.51 per hour with one child to live comfortably in Casper.

6. Traffic

Since public transportation is extremely limited in Casper, everyone primarily relies on a vehicle to get around.

This means that traffic can become a real pain, especially during rush hour.

While traffic isn’t nearly as bad compared to major metro areas in the United States, it can still cause delays.

The best thing to do is always give yourself enough time when commuting.

7. Too Close to Airport

Casper Airport is located approximately 7.9 miles away from the city itself.

While the proximity of the airport may be beneficial for some, it may not be ideal for others.

Living too close to an airport can have negative impacts on your health and quality of life.

This is mainly due to air pollution from aircraft.

Furthermore, living close to an airport creates a lot of noise from airplanes, which can cause sleep disturbances and more.

8. Lack of Diversity

Another downside of living in Casper is that it isn’t very diverse.

The racial makeup of Casper is 85.8% white (non-Hispanic), 6.35% white (Hispanic), and 0.797% other.

If you’re looking for a town that has plenty of diversity, Casper may not be the best town to move to.

However, if diversity isn’t a huge deal breaker for you, moving to Casper may still provide you with a ton of other benefits.

Pros and Cons of Living in Casper, WY – Summary Table