Cost of Living in Carbon County, Wyoming
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Carbon County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Carbon County ranks #419 of 3,144 counties for affordability (top 13%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Carbon County, Wyoming
Carbon Below National Rent Burden
Carbon County renters spend 16.1% of income on rent, outperforming the national average of roughly 13–15%, though not by a large margin. The county's median income of $66,721 sits 11% below the national median of $74,755, yet housing costs remain relatively balanced.
Mid-Tier Affordability in Wyoming
Carbon's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks slightly above the state average of 15.5%, placing it in the middle range of Wyoming county affordability. Rents at $894 monthly run below the state median of $937, offering mild savings compared to state-level norms.
Affordable Rents, Moderate Ownership
Carbon's $894 rent is lower than Albany ($936), Campbell ($952), and Converse ($930), while homeownership costs ($812) remain modestly competitive. Compared to Big Horn's $750 owner cost, Carbon is slightly pricier for homebuyers, but more affordable for renters.
Balanced Burden Across Tenure Types
Carbon renters allocate $894 monthly to housing, while homeowners spend $812—a rare situation where ownership costs less than renting. At $66,721 median income, renters dedicate 16.1% of earnings to rent, while owners spend roughly 14.6% on mortgages.
Smart Choice for Budget-Minded Buyers
Carbon County offers one of Wyoming's lowest homeownership costs ($812/month) paired with reasonable rents ($894), making it ideal for households prioritizing financial flexibility. If you're torn between renting and buying, Carbon's modest gap between the two tenure types eases the transition to ownership.
Cost of Living Advisory: Carbon County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Carbon County is affordable. The median rent is $894/month against a median household income of $66,721, putting rent at 16.1% of income.
Rent vs. Own
Renters in Carbon County pay $894/month on average, compared to $812/month for homeowners. This market favors buyers by about 9%.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $35,760/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $34,800/year. With a median household income of $66,721, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 25.0% of renter households in Carbon County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Within Wyoming, Carbon County is less affordable than Sheridan County by roughly 6% ($894/mo vs $950/mo).
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Carbon County
Rent Burden
16.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,557
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.6%
of gross income
The median home in Carbon County may be a stretch
Median home value is $214,500. Estimated monthly cost: $1,712 vs. your max of $1,557.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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