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Quality of Life in Kemmerer, 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
37% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Kemmerer, WY for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $12k | $22k |
| Comfortable | $34k | $49k |
| Luxury | $111k+ | $171k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $130k+ | $202k+ |
150%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
0 within 10 miles
Gas
1 within 10 miles
Hospital
1 within 20 miles
Airport
SLC — Salt Lake City International
Post Office
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Kemmerer, Wyoming, offers a notably affordable quality of life in a remote Western setting, with a cost of living index of 63—well below the U.S. average of 100. The town of roughly 2,700 residents is predominantly working-class, with many employed in the nearby coal mines, the JCPenney Mother Store distribution center, and local government. Median household income hovers around $60,000, supporting a stable, family-oriented community where homeownership is attainable for most earners.
Cost of living, housing affordability, and how it compares to nearby towns
Kemmerer’s housing market is among the most affordable in Lincoln County and the broader region. The median home value sits at $173,100, roughly half the national median, while median rent is just $739 per month. For context, comparable homes in Evanston (45 miles west) run about 15% higher, and in Jackson Hole (120 miles north) prices are four to five times greater. The average commute of 18.5 minutes is short, reflecting the town’s compact layout and the fact that most jobs are within city limits or at the nearby Bridger Coal Mine. Property taxes are low—Wyoming has no state income tax—and utility costs are moderate, though heating bills can spike in winter. Overall, a single-earner household making $50,000 can comfortably afford a mortgage here, a rarity in much of the Mountain West.
What daily life is like for families: schools, amenities, and community rhythm
Daily life in Kemmerer revolves around outdoor recreation and local institutions. The town’s K-12 schools—Kemmerer Elementary, Kemmerer Middle School, and Kemmerer High School—serve roughly 700 students total, with a student-teacher ratio of about 14:1. The high school fields competitive sports teams and has a solid graduation rate near 90%. For amenities, residents rely on a small grocery store, a hardware store, and a handful of diners and cafes; for major shopping or medical specialists, most drive 45 minutes to Evanston or 90 minutes to Rock Springs. The community calendar is anchored by the annual Fossil Festival (celebrating the area’s rich paleontological history) and high school football games. Outdoor access is immediate: the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Hams Fork River are minutes from downtown, offering fishing, hiking, and hunting. The town’s pace is slow and neighborly—most errands can be done on foot or by a short drive, and crime rates are well below national averages.
Kemmerer is best suited for people who value low costs, a tight-knit community, and proximity to nature over urban amenities. It appeals strongly to families seeking affordable homeownership, outdoor enthusiasts who hunt or fish regularly, and workers in the energy or retail sectors. Remote workers and retirees on fixed incomes also find the low expenses attractive, though the limited dining, entertainment, and healthcare options may deter those accustomed to city conveniences. For anyone prioritizing financial breathing room and a quiet, safe environment, Kemmerer delivers a straightforward, unpretentious quality of life.
Crime in Kemmerer, WY
Generally safer than 72% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Kemmerer, Wyoming, presents a mixed safety profile that is significantly safer than the national average for violent crime but notably riskier for property crime. With a violent crime rate of 170 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,006.2 per 100,000, the town offers a relatively low risk of physical assault while facing challenges with theft and burglary. These figures place Kemmerer in a distinct category compared to both state and national benchmarks, making it essential for prospective residents to understand the specific local dynamics.
Crime in context
Kemmerer’s violent crime rate of 170 per 100,000 is roughly half the national average of approximately 380 per 100,000, and it aligns closely with Wyoming’s statewide rate of about 240 per 100,000. This means the likelihood of experiencing a violent offense such as assault, robbery, or homicide is low. However, the property crime rate of 1,006.2 per 100,000 is above both the national average (around 1,950 per 100,000) and the Wyoming state average (roughly 1,500 per 100,000). While still lower than many urban centers nationwide, this rate indicates that theft, vehicle break-ins, and vandalism occur with moderate frequency. The contrast between low violent crime and elevated property crime is a key characteristic of Kemmerer’s safety landscape.
What residents experience
Residents of Kemmerer generally report feeling safe walking alone during the day, and the town’s small size—roughly 2,600 people—fosters a close-knit community where neighbors watch out for one another. The most common complaints involve property crimes like unlocked vehicle thefts and shed burglaries, which often spike during warmer months. Law enforcement is provided by the Kemmerer Police Department and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, both of which maintain a visible presence. Unlike larger metro areas that may be influenced by progressive prosecutorial policies, Lincoln County’s justice system operates under a more traditional, conservative framework. This means offenders are more likely to face consistent consequences, which can act as a deterrent and contribute to the low violent crime rate. Residents do not face the same concerns about lenient sentencing or revolving-door justice that can plague jurisdictions with progressive district attorneys.
Neighborhood-level variation in Kemmerer is modest but worth noting. The historic downtown core and areas near U.S. Highway 30 see slightly higher rates of petty theft and vehicle break-ins, likely due to transient traffic. Residential streets further from the highway, particularly those in the newer subdivisions on the town’s east side, report fewer incidents. Overall, the town’s safety is bolstered by its rural character and a justice system that prioritizes accountability, making it a generally secure environment for families and retirees alike.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-21T11:35:45.000Z
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