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Quality of Life in Burlington, WY
Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.
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
28% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Burlington, WY for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $14k | $26k |
| Comfortable | $36k | $54k |
| Luxury | $98k+ | $152k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $115k+ | $179k+ |
151%
* median rent and top-5% income substituted from county-level data — local Census figures unavailable for small populations
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Limited data for this area
Limited data for this area
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
0 within 10 miles
Gas
0 within 10 miles
Hospital
1 within 20 miles
Airport
SLC — Salt Lake City International
Post Office
USPS — Burlington, WY
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Burlington, Wyoming, offers a notably affordable quality of life in a rural setting, with a cost of living index of 72 (28% below the U.S. average) that attracts a mix of families, retirees, and workers in energy and agriculture. The town’s population of roughly 300 residents is predominantly white and leans conservative, with a quiet, self-reliant character shaped by its location along the Bighorn Basin. Median household income hovers around $55,000, reflecting a working-class economy where homeownership is attainable and daily expenses remain low.
Cost of living, housing affordability, and how Burlington compares to nearby towns
Burlington’s housing market is among the most accessible in the region. The median home value sits at $187,500, roughly half the national median, while median rent is $876 per month. For context, comparable homes in Cody (45 miles west) typically cost 30–40% more, and rentals in Powell run about 15% higher. The overall cost of living index of 72 is driven by low transportation and utility costs, though groceries and healthcare are slightly above the state average due to limited local competition. Property taxes in Big Horn County are moderate, around 0.6% of assessed value, keeping monthly housing costs manageable even for single-income households. The average commute of 18.5 minutes is short by national standards, but most residents drive to jobs in Greybull (10 minutes east) or Basin (15 minutes south), as Burlington itself has few large employers. Gas and vehicle maintenance costs are typical for rural Wyoming, but the short drive times help offset them.
Local amenities, schools, and what daily life is like for families
Burlington is a tight-knit community where daily life revolves around the school, the local church, and outdoor recreation. The town has a single K-12 school, Burlington High School, which serves about 100 students and offers small class sizes and a strong agricultural education program. For shopping, dining, and healthcare, residents drive 10–15 minutes to Greybull or Basin, which have grocery stores, a hospital, and basic retail. The nearest major shopping and medical center is in Cody, about 45 minutes west. Outdoor life is central here: the Bighorn National Forest is 30 minutes east for hiking and camping, and the Shoshone River offers fishing and rafting. There are no movie theaters, gyms, or coffee shops in town; entertainment is home-based or community-organized, with events like the annual Burlington Days celebration in summer. Cell service is reliable on major carriers, but high-speed internet is limited to satellite or fixed wireless in some areas, which can be a drawback for remote workers.
Burlington is best suited for people who value low costs, quiet living, and a strong sense of community over urban convenience. Families with school-age children benefit from the small, safe school environment and short commutes. Retirees on fixed incomes find the housing and utility costs especially manageable. Those who need frequent access to big-box retail, diverse dining, or specialized healthcare may find the 45-minute drive to Cody a limitation. For self-sufficient individuals who appreciate Wyoming’s open spaces and a slower pace, Burlington offers a stable, affordable foundation for daily life.
Crime in Burlington, WY
Generally safer than 71% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Burlington, Wyoming, presents a mixed safety profile for potential residents. The town's violent crime rate of 171.9 per 100,000 residents is significantly lower than the national average, but its property crime rate of 1,012.8 per 100,000 is notably higher than both state and national benchmarks. This combination means that while the risk of a violent confrontation is relatively low, the likelihood of experiencing theft, burglary, or vandalism is a tangible concern for households and businesses in the area.
Crime in context
To understand Burlington's safety landscape, it is essential to compare its statistics to broader Wyoming and U.S. averages. The town's violent crime rate of 171.9 per 100,000 is roughly half the national average and sits below the Wyoming state average, making it a safer environment for personal safety than many other communities of similar size. However, the property crime rate of 1,012.8 per 100,000 is a different story. This figure is well above the national average of approximately 1,954 per 100,000 and also exceeds the Wyoming state average, indicating that property-related offenses are a more pressing issue. The disparity between low violent crime and elevated property crime is a key characteristic of Burlington's public safety reality.
What residents experience
For those living in Burlington, the daily experience of safety is shaped primarily by property crime rather than violent threats. Residents report that theft from vehicles, shed and garage break-ins, and occasional vandalism are the most common incidents. The town's rural setting and proximity to major transportation routes can make it a target for transient property crime. It is important to note that the broader legal and prosecutorial environment in Wyoming, which generally maintains a more conservative approach to criminal justice compared to large metro areas with progressive district attorneys, helps keep violent crime rates low. In jurisdictions where progressive ideology prioritizes offender rehabilitation over public protection, residents often face higher recidivism and more criminals on the street. Burlington benefits from a state-level justice system that does not follow that pattern, contributing to its lower violent crime numbers.
Neighborhood-level variation
Crime in Burlington is not evenly distributed across the town. The most concentrated area for property crime incidents is along the main commercial corridor and near the highway interchange, where transient traffic is highest. Residential streets further from these thoroughfares tend to experience fewer incidents, though no neighborhood is immune. The town's small size means that community watch efforts and neighborly awareness are effective deterrents. New residents are advised to secure outbuildings, lock vehicles, and consider outdoor lighting, as these simple measures significantly reduce the risk of becoming a property crime statistic. Overall, Burlington offers a safe environment for families and individuals who are proactive about securing their property, with the peace of mind that violent crime is a rare occurrence.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-06-21T12:40:24.000Z
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