Burlington, WY

Burlington, Wyoming, population 237, feels less like a town and more like a quiet outpost where everyone knows your truck. It’s the kind of place where the median age is just 22.3, hinting at a young, family-oriented community, and where a median income of $80,625 goes a long way thanks to a cost of living index of 72—well below the national average. If you’re looking for a low-key, affordable life with wide-open spaces and a strong sense of neighborly duty, Burlington might be your speed.

Daily Rhythm in a Town of 237

Life here moves to the rhythm of work, school, and the seasons. The average commute is just over 18 minutes, which for most people means a short drive to jobs in nearby Greybull or Cody, or to work in agriculture, oil and gas, or the local school system. There’s no downtown strip or coffee shop scene—daily errands mean a trip to the gas station or a 20-minute drive for groceries. Weekends are often spent on outdoor projects, hunting, or fishing along the Shoshone River. The high school gym is the social hub during winter, hosting basketball games that draw nearly the whole town. For a place this small, the school system is the community’s backbone—it’s where parents meet, kids bond, and everyone keeps tabs on each other.

Who Fits In Here

Burlington suits people who value quiet and self-reliance over convenience and nightlife. The median home value is $187,500, making homeownership realistic for young families and tradespeople. With 42.7% of adults holding a college degree, there’s a surprising number of remote workers and educators who chose this life for the space and low cost of living. You won’t find many singles in their 20s here unless they grew up in the area—this is a place for people ready to settle down, raise kids, or retire from the rat race. Affluence is modest; the high median income relative to home prices means most families live comfortably but not lavishly.

Sports, Community, and What There Is to Do

High school sports are the main event. Burlington High School’s Huskies are a source of genuine pride, and Friday night football or volleyball games are community gatherings, not just athletic events. There are no pro or college teams nearby, but that doesn’t matter—locals follow the Huskies and maybe the University of Wyoming Cowboys from a distance. For entertainment, you’re looking at outdoor recreation: hunting, fishing, hiking in the nearby Bighorn Mountains, or ATV riding on back roads. The biggest annual event is the Burlington Community Celebration, a small-town festival with a parade, barbecue, and rodeo events that brings out everyone. There’s one bar in town—a no-frills spot where locals unwind after work—and a handful of restaurants in Greybull for a night out. If you want live music or a movie theater, you’re driving an hour to Cody or Powell.

Pros and Cons of Living Here

• Pro: Affordability. With a cost of living index of 72 and median home values under $200,000, your money stretches further than in almost any other part of the country.
• Pro: Safety and community. The violent crime rate is 171.9 per 100,000, which is below the national average, and people look out for each other. Doors are unlocked, kids roam freely, and neighbors help with harvest or car trouble without being asked.
• Con: Limited amenities. There’s no grocery store, no pharmacy, no sit-down restaurant in town. Every errand requires a drive, and that gets old fast for people used to urban convenience.
• Con: Isolation. The nearest city of any size is Cody (about 45 minutes away), and the closest major airport is in Billings, Montana—over two hours north. Social life is what you make it with your neighbors.
• Con: Harsh winters. Snow and wind are real factors from November through March. Roads can be icy, and the isolation feels heavier when you’re snowed in for a few days.

Burlington isn’t for everyone, and it doesn’t pretend to be. The people who thrive here are the ones who find satisfaction in a simple, self-sufficient life—where the school gym is the nightlife, the mountains are the mall, and your neighbors are your closest friends. If that sounds like a trade you’re willing to make, this tiny Wyoming town might feel like home.