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Moving from California to Wyoming

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs. vs. Lowest population, no income tax, energy + tourism.

CA state flag
Living now

California

Capital: Sacramento

Median household income $91,905 · winter low 45°F · 258 sunny days

Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs.

WY state flag
Moving to

Wyoming

Capital: Cheyenne

Median household income $72,495 · winter low 13°F · 220 sunny days

Lowest population, no income tax, energy + tourism.

Wyoming has an overall price level 92.7 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
California
110.7
Wyoming
92.7
Wyoming has 16% lower overall price level
Housing index
California
154.3
Wyoming
71.1
Wyoming has 54% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
California
102.7
Wyoming
98.2
Wyoming has 4.4% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Wyoming
98.9
Wyoming has 2.7% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
33.4 ¢/kWh
Wyoming
13.6 ¢/kWh
Wyoming has 59% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
California
102.1
Wyoming
98.5
Wyoming has 3.5% lower transportation
Median home value
California
$759,500
Wyoming
$339,500
Wyoming is 55% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
California
$1,835/mo
Wyoming
$783/mo
Wyoming is 57% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

Summer high 82°F · Winter low 13°F · 220 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
California
84°F
Wyoming
82°F
Wyoming is 2.4% less summer highs
Avg winter low
California
45°F
Wyoming
13°F
Wyoming is 71% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
California
59°F
Wyoming
43°F
Wyoming is 27% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
California
258
Wyoming
220
Wyoming has 15% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
California
26 in
Wyoming
13 in
Wyoming is 48% less annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
California
68
Wyoming
42
Wyoming has 38% lower AQI
Snow / year
California
16 in
Wyoming
58 in
Wyoming is 263% more annual snowfall

Get the full CaliforniaWyoming report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Wyoming than California?

Wyoming's overall price level is roughly 96.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 113 for California — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

California tops out at 13.3% income tax. Wyoming tops out at 0%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Wyoming?

Most Wyoming residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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