Quality of Life in Cody, WY
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
4% above national average
The Real Cost of Living in Cody, WY for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $17k | $31k |
| Comfortable | $69k | $102k |
| Luxury | $117k+ | $182k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $138k+ | $214k+ |
67%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
2 within 10 miles
Gas
3 within 10 miles
Hospital
1 within 20 miles
Airport
SLC — Salt Lake City International
Post Office
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Cody, Wyoming, presents a quality of life defined by a blend of Western heritage, outdoor recreation, and relative affluence, attracting a mix of retirees, second-home owners, and families seeking a slower pace. The city’s population of roughly 10,000 is complemented by a steady stream of tourists drawn to the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park, creating a local economy anchored in tourism, energy, and agriculture. With a cost of living index of 104—just 4% above the national average—Cody offers a more attainable version of the Rocky Mountain lifestyle compared to pricier resort towns like Jackson Hole or Bozeman.
Cost of living, housing affordability, and how Cody compares to nearby towns
Housing in Cody is the primary driver of its slightly above-average cost of living, but it remains significantly more affordable than many gateway communities in the region. The median home value sits at $357,300, which is roughly $100,000 less than the median in Bozeman, Montana, and less than half the median in Jackson, Wyoming. Renters also find relative value, with a median rent of $1,039—well below the national median of $1,400 and far cheaper than the $2,000+ averages seen in nearby tourist hubs. The average commute time of just 18.5 minutes is a standout advantage, reflecting the town’s compact layout and minimal traffic congestion, a stark contrast to the hour-long commutes common in larger Western cities. While groceries and utilities are slightly above national averages due to the region’s remote location, the overall affordability gap versus Cody’s more famous neighbors makes it a practical choice for those priced out of Jackson or Bozeman.
Local amenities, schools, and what daily life is like for families
Daily life in Cody revolves around a strong sense of community and year-round access to the outdoors, with the Shoshone National Forest and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West serving as cultural and recreational anchors. The Park County School District #6 is well-regarded, with Cody High School consistently posting graduation rates above 90% and offering strong vocational and STEM programs. For families, the city provides a safe environment—violent crime rates are roughly half the national average—and a calendar packed with rodeos, the Cody Stampede, and community events that reinforce the town’s cowboy identity. Amenities are practical rather than luxurious: a modern hospital (Cody Regional Health), a solid public library, and a modest but functional retail scene with national chains like Walmart and local outfitters. The lack of major nightlife or high-end dining is offset by the immediate access to hiking, fly-fishing, and skiing at Sleeping Giant Ski Area, making the rhythm of life heavily tied to the seasons and the outdoors.
Cody is best suited for individuals and families who prioritize outdoor recreation, community connection, and a slower, safer pace over urban amenities and career diversity. Retirees and remote workers with stable incomes will find the housing market and commute times particularly appealing, while families benefit from the strong school system and low crime. Those seeking a vibrant nightlife, diverse job market, or cultural diversity may find Cody limiting, but for anyone drawn to the authentic Western lifestyle and proximity to Yellowstone without the resort-town price tag, the quality of life here is hard to beat.
Crime in Cody, WY
Lower crime rates than 92% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Cody, Wyoming, presents a notably safe profile compared to national averages, with violent crime rates significantly below the U.S. norm. The city's overall crime picture is shaped by its relatively small population and its role as a tourism and energy hub in Park County. While property crime rates are higher than the state average, they remain below the national median, and the community benefits from a conservative local justice system that prioritizes public safety and victim rights.
Crime in context
Cody's violent crime rate of 124.3 incidents per 100,000 residents is roughly one-third the national average, placing it among the safest small cities in the Rocky Mountain region. Property crime, at 631.1 per 100,000, is higher than Wyoming's statewide rate of approximately 450 per 100,000 but still well below the U.S. median of 1,954 per 100,000. This pattern—low violent crime with moderate property crime—is typical of gateway communities near national parks. Unlike large metro areas with progressive district attorneys who often pursue lenient sentencing policies, Park County's elected prosecutors maintain a traditional law-and-order approach, which contributes to lower recidivism and fewer repeat offenders on the streets.
What residents experience
Most Cody residents report feeling safe walking downtown and in residential neighborhoods, even after dark. The most common property crimes are vehicle break-ins and theft from unlocked sheds or garages, particularly during the summer tourist season when transient populations increase. Burglaries of occupied homes are rare. The Cody Police Department maintains a visible presence, and the city's clearance rate for violent crimes exceeds 80%, well above the national average of about 50%. This high solve rate is a direct result of a justice system that prioritizes victim advocacy and holds offenders accountable, rather than cycling them back into the community through catch-and-release policies common in progressive jurisdictions.
Neighborhood-level variation
Safety is fairly uniform across Cody, though some patterns emerge. The historic downtown core and newer subdivisions west of the Shoshone River see the lowest incident rates. The area around the Cody Stampede Rodeo grounds and the South Fork Road corridor experiences slightly higher property crime during major events. The Absaroka View and Skyline Ranch subdivisions are considered the safest, with virtually no violent crime reported in recent years. Overall, Cody's combination of low violent crime, responsive policing, and a justice system that respects public safety makes it an attractive relocation choice for those seeking a secure, family-oriented community.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-21T10:49:18.000Z
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