Performance
Score Breakdown
Laramie
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laramie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
54% lower compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laramie's average rent is
66% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Laramie | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,149 | $3,382 | -66% |
| Groceries | $377 | $520 | -28% |
| Utilities | $352 | $370 | -5% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $138 | $250 | -45% |
| Monthly Total | $2,136 | $4,652 | -54% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 35% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Laramie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laramie is estimated at
$31,776 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Laramie | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,136 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $31,776 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,564 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $55,613 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Laramie | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 46.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laramie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
15,000 minutes (250 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laramie | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 88.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 89.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Laramie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Laramie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laramie | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,511 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | % |
| Median Age | 26.9 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.20% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Laramie
Advantages
The cost of living in Laramie is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and groceries.
Laramie has a violent crime rate significantly below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The city offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
There are abundant outdoor activities available, including hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing, due to its proximity to mountains and forests.
Commute times are significantly shorter than the national average, at only 13 minutes.
Drawbacks
Childcare and dining out costs can be more expensive in Laramie compared to the national average.
Some residents may need to travel to larger cities for specialized medical care or extensive shopping options.
Despite growth, Laramie can still feel somewhat isolated, with a "middle of nowhere" feel for some.
The median household income in Laramie is lower than the national average.
The housing market, while affordable, has seen a slight decrease in median home prices in early 2026.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Laramie
#22Wyoming, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,149
Avg Salary
$65,136
Cost Index
95
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
2.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
New York City
#68New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Laramie and New York City.
Open Cost Calculator