The State of Wyoming Economic Analysis Division reported that the State of Wyoming has seen an annual cost of living inflation, compared between the final quarter of 2015 and the final quarter of 2016. According to a release from the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information, the state cost of living index saw growth across all items of 0.6%.
Wyoming Cost of Living Index is measured over six consumer categories; Transportation, Medical, Apparel, Food, Housing, and Recreation & Personal Care.
Transportation grew by 4.5%, the largest statewide inflation of any of the categories. The WDAI notes that gasoline prices were up over the year, which contributed to that inflation, which is the first annual increase since the fourth quarter of 2013.
- Transportation increased by 4.5%
- Medical increased by 3.7%
- Apparel increased by 3.2%
- Food increased by 1.4%
- Housing fell by 1.2%
- Recreation & Personal Care fell by 1.5%
The Wyoming Cost of Living Index consists of two parts, “Inflation” tracking over-the-year change, and the “Comparative Cost of Living index,” which compares each county’s cost of living to the statewide average. Inflation is an annual measurement, but Comparative Cost of Living index is a snapshot, and not over-time.
Natrona County is currently under the state average by 5%. Goshen, Big Horn, and Washakie Counties are all tied for lowest under state average, at 90%. The highest cost of living above the state average is Teton county which sit at 152% compared to the state average.
Sheridan, Campbell, and Albany County are currently matching the state average, Sublette County is at 108% compared to the state average, and Carbon and Laramie Counties are both at 103% compared to state average.
In Natrona County, the average price for an apartment rental was listed for fourth quarter of 2016 as $660, down from the same time last year when it was listed at $788, a difference of 16.2%.
The state wide average cost for a rental apartment is $708, down 3.4% from the year previous, at $733.
Teton County has seen prices increase, however. Reporting an average price of $1,654 for the fourth quarter of 2015, and $1,829 for the fourth quarter of 2016.