Austin TX vs Cheyenne WY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Cheyenne
37.0
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Cheyenne
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 58,754 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.0 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 2.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 7.5% | 0.6% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 0.5% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 8.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Cheyenne
$69,171
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Cheyenne
$41,460
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $69,171 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $41,460 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 11.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 30.0% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $388,590 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Cheyenne
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Cheyenne
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Cheyenne
12.4%
Cheyenne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Cheyenne
13.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.9% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.6% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.3% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 16.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cheyenne + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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