When it comes to retirement, Florida and Arizona are the two states where seniors typically settle down for their golden years. But retirement in Wyoming is gaining ground.
Wyoming’s mix of stunning nature, outdoor activities and accessible public lands, combined with an inexpensive cost of living and tax-friendly policies, are an intriguing draw for
retirees, according to Market Watch. In fact, Wyoming is the top state to retire in,
according to Bankrate.
Here are four of the most affordable towns and cities for retirees in the Cowboy State.
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1. Cheyenne
In 2011,
AARP selected Cheyenne as one of the 10 most affordable places in America for retirees. The nation’s largest organization for seniors chose Wyoming’s capital city for a wide range of reasons, but primarily for the city’s low cost of living. Cheyenne and the rest of the state feature no income tax, one of the nation’s lowest property tax rates, a small sales tax, and no taxes on pensions.
According to the AARP, Wyoming’s economic center also boasts little crime, a low unemployment rate and a combination of “small-town feel and … great amenities, like the Greenway, the Botanic Gardens, the Symphony, a fantastic library and access to college-level courses.”
2. Casper
Forbes magazine named Casper one of the 25 best places to retire in 2015. Located in east-central Wyoming, the city of 60,000 has a strong economy, average cost of living and a low unemployment rate in addition to a scenic locale, all enticing qualities to retirees.
3. Cody
This quaint town of 9,000 residents draws retirees for its affordability, its history and its fly fishing. Besides the lack of income tax and the favorable property tax and sales tax rates, the cost of living is 3.3 percent lower than the nationwide average,
according to Market Watch, and the median home cost is $38,000 below the national average. Throw in Cody’s nearly nonexistent crime rate, its leisurely pace, its status as the eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park and Clarks Fork and its location near the Shoshone River and a tributary of the Yellowstone River for fly-fishing devotees, and it’s easy to see why Cody is a magnet for more and more seniors.
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4. Jackson Hole
This popular resort town is becoming equally popular with retiring seniors,
according to the Top Retirement website. Surrounded by mountains in the Grand Teton National Forest, Jackson Hole is one of the most stunning valleys in the world, attracting tourists from across the U.S. for skiing, hunting, hiking, and other outdoor activities. But, while tourism has driven up the cost of living, Jackson has mobile parks and less expensive nearby towns like Wilson that can make the area reasonable enough for many seniors to call home during their retirement years.