Living Off Grid in Wyoming (Is it the Best State?)
Wyoming is one of the largest states in the United States, yet it also has one of the smallest populations. Wyoming’s population is currently around 580k people, with the majority of the population living in smaller towns. In fact, there are no cities with over 100k people. This makes living off the grid in Wyoming a great idea and easy to do so.
Living off the grid in Wyoming is completely legal. The human density is low, you can cultivate various crops, and the fauna is diversified. Even though the local climate is semi-arid and continental, rainwater harvesting is legal. On the other hand, property and living costs are somewhat in line with the national average. However, taxes are significantly lower.
General Statistics for Living Off Grid in Wyoming
If you enjoy an unspoiled environment, Wyoming is for you; the scenery is just breathtaking. Wyoming is one of the only states where cowboys still exist, and by that, I don’t mean mall cowboys, but real cowboys that work the same way they did centuries ago. Many people believe Wyoming to be a flyover state, mainly because there isn’t much to attract visitors (other than the Tetons). In my opinion this makes living off grid in Wyoming perfect!
Because the majority of the people live in smaller towns and cities, you should have no trouble obtaining a suitable plot of land for growing crops and establishing your homestead. Traffic is a major issue in many states; however, Wyoming does not have this issue; yet, the distance between cities and towns can be quite vast. Despite its small population, Wyoming has a relatively stable economy, minimal taxes, and agriculture, mining, and tourism provide the majority of the state’s revenue.
Living off grid in Wyoming appears to be perfect, yet it does have its issues. Most states with a small population compared to their size have a low crime rate but a high suicide rate; Wyoming, for example, has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. Check out my article on Living Off Grid in Washington State for information about a neighboring state.
What’s the Climate in Wyoming?
Wyoming’s climate is semi-arid continental, which means the summers are warm and the winters are bitterly cold, which is oppressive. In the summer, the average temperature is around 75°F, and in the winter, the average temperature is around 25°F. Because most of the state is flatland, there is almost nothing to stop the winds. The winds will be blowing practically continually due to the continental environment.
Interested in a state with a more humid climate? Check out my Guide to Living Off Grid in West Virginia.
What Type of Crops Grow Best in Wyoming?
Wheat, beans, barley, sugar beet, oats, sunflowers, grain corn, and nursery goods are the principal crops farmed in Wyoming. Farmers in the area have a lot of incentives to cultivate crops because agriculture accounts for the majority of the state’s economy. These incentives are unlikely to be available if you establish a homestead with a small vegetable garden. Some locations in Wyoming are not suited for growing crops, primarily because they do not receive enough rainfall throughout the year.
What’s Freshwater Availability Like in Wyoming?
The majority of the state does not have a freshwater shortage, not because it receives a lot of rain but because the population is relatively tiny. Although the climate is semi-arid, there can be significant differences in annual rainfall between some places. The average annual rainfall is roughly 10 inches. However, it can be as low as 8 inches in some locations. The good news is that rainwater harvesting is legal despite Wyoming’s arid climate.
What Type of Wildlife is Common in Wyoming?
Because most of Wyoming is still undeveloped, it is home to various creatures, including bison, bobcat, wolverine, cougar, grizzly bear, American black bear, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and even wild horses. Wyoming is home to one of the country’s largest reserves, the Wind River Reservation. Sunfish, catfish, trout, walleye, salmon, yellow perch, and whitefish can all be found in rivers and lakes.
Both fishing and hunting require a license, which can be obtained online.
How to Generate Off Grid Power in Wyoming?
Solar power: Solar panels are an excellent way to generate electricity in this state, though you’ll have to clean them frequently if you live in the more arid areas since dust will quickly cover them. The good news is that Wyoming does not have a state tax, but the bad news is that solar energy subsidies offered in other states are usually not available in Wyoming. On the other hand, you can always apply for the federal tax credit, which is roughly 30%.
Wind power: Wyoming is ideal for generating electricity with wind turbines since the wind is constantly blowing. Even though there are no statewide incentives for wind energy, you can still qualify for a federal tax credit.
Are There Living Off Grid Laws in Wyoming?
There are presently no regulations prohibiting you from living off the grid in Wyoming. Many individuals are found living off grid in Wyoming. Even though the environment is semi-arid, it is legal to have no rainwater; nevertheless, this may alter in the future as the population grows; however, this will not be an issue for the next decade or so because the population is shrinking rather than expanding. You can also homeschool your children with little difficulty because homeschooling rules are very lax.
What’s Road Access Like in Wyoming?
Wyoming has one of the lowest death rates from traffic accidents, albeit this is due to the state’s limited population more than the state’s great road quality. Some regions may be inaccessible during the winter owing to snowfall or ice on the roads; the winters in this state are very harsh, so you should prepare as best you can.
What’s the Price of Land in Wyoming?
The cost of land and property is practically identical to the national average, with barely a 1% differential. One of the reasons not many people migrate to Wyoming is that it has a small population and hence has lower housing and property costs. Wyoming is right on the national average, which is one of the reasons why not many people relocate here.
What’s Property Tax in Wyoming?
Wyoming has one of the lowest property taxes in the country, with a current rate of 0.61 percent compared to a national average of 1.08 percent. Generally speaking, most states with such a low property tax also have a relatively low house and land prices.
What’s the Cost of Living Off Grid in Wyoming?
Wyoming is a middle-of-the-pack state when it comes to living costs; you’ll pay around 6% less for utilities and 23% less for transportation than the national average. The only thing in this state that is more expensive than the national average is health care, which is roughly 30% more expensive.
What’s the Job Market Like in Wyoming?
Wyoming’s unemployment rate is 3.8 percent, which is somewhat higher than the national average. The minimum wage is $7.25, which is less than the minimum pay in surrounding states. Agriculture, mining, government, manufacturing, and transportation are the major industries in which most people work.
What’s the Crime Rate in Wyoming?
Wyoming’s crime rate is lower than the national average, with 2.11 crimes per 1000 people compared to the national average of 4 crimes per 1000 people. The areas near Rolling Hills, Upton, Farson, Basin, and Rock River are the safest. Lander, Riverton, Cheyenne, and Gillette have the highest crime rates in the state.
Is Living Off Grid in Wyoming Affected by Natural Disasters?
Floods, landslides, and earthquakes are Wyoming’s most prevalent natural catastrophes. In general, Wyoming is a relatively safe state for natural disasters, yet seismic fluctuations in Yellowstone Park have some experts concerned.
Is Living Off Grid Possible in Wyoming?
Overall, Wyoming is one of the greatest, if not the cheapest, states for living off grid. If you’re traveling from the country’s south, the local temperature, especially in arid places, can be tough to acclimate to.
Frankly, we recommend buying a homestead in Wyoming. Living off grid in Wyoming is perfect IF you can deal with the long winters.
