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Quality of Life in Sublette County
A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
Cost of Living
7% above national average
83%
The Real Cost of Living in Sublette County for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $18k | $33k |
| Comfortable | $68k | $100k |
| Luxury | $150k+ | $232k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $242k+ | $375k+ |
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Sublette County, Wyoming, offers a spectrum of quality-of-life options that range from the amenity-rich town of Pinedale to isolated ranchlands and the small, unincorporated community of Big Piney, attracting everyone from energy-sector professionals to second-home owners and off-grid homesteaders. With a cost of living index of 107 (slightly above the national average) and a median home value of $350,100, the county presents a more affordable entry point than neighboring Teton County while still demanding a premium for its mountain scenery and outdoor access. The average commute of roughly 23 minutes reflects the county's spread-out nature, where residents trade longer drives for space and quiet.
Largest town(s) & population centers
Pinedale is the county seat and the primary hub, home to roughly 2,000 residents and the center of commerce, dining, and services. Daily life here revolves around the historic downtown along Pine Street, where locals and visitors mix at the Sublette County Library, the Museum of the Mountain Man, and restaurants like the Wind River Brewing Company. Pinedale serves as the gateway to the Wind River Range and the Bridger-Teton National Forest, making it a magnet for hikers, anglers, and skiers heading to White Pine Ski Area. The town also anchors the county's energy industry, with offices for gas and oil companies employing a significant portion of the workforce. Big Piney, about 15 miles south, is a smaller, more working-class community of around 550 people, historically tied to ranching and energy extraction. Its daily rhythm is quieter and less tourist-oriented, with basic services like a grocery store, a post office, and the Sublette County Fairgrounds hosting local events.
Smaller towns & rural pockets
Beyond the two main towns, Sublette County is defined by its unincorporated places and vast open spaces. Boulder, a tiny community along the Green River, offers a handful of homes and a general store, serving as a launch point for river recreation and backcountry access. Cora, even smaller, sits at the junction of US-191 and the road to the Green River Lakes, with little more than a post office and a few scattered residences. The county's rural pockets include the Daniel area, a sparsely populated valley known for its historic Mormon settlement and the annual Daniel Rodeo. These areas lack municipal services like water and sewer, requiring residents to rely on wells and septic systems. Bondurant, in the county's northern reaches near the Hoback River, is a remote cluster of homes and cabins favored by those seeking extreme solitude, with winter access sometimes limited by snow.
Cost & lifestyle range
The cost of living and lifestyle options vary significantly across Sublette County. At the higher end, Pinedale commands a median home value around $350,100, with newer subdivisions like the Skyline Subdivision offering mountain-view lots and modern homes priced above $500,000. Renters in Pinedale pay a median of $1,116 per month, though seasonal demand can push short-term rentals higher. At the lower end, Big Piney and the Marbleton area (essentially contiguous with Big Piney) offer older homes and mobile homes in the $150,000–$250,000 range, attracting workers in the gas fields and ranching sector. Rural properties in Boulder or Cora can be found for under $200,000 for raw land, but building costs and utility installation add significant expense. Property taxes remain low across the county, a Wyoming advantage, but the trade-off is limited public services: no public transportation, fewer healthcare options, and a 30-minute drive to the nearest hospital in Pinedale from outlying areas.
Sublette County suits those who value wide-open spaces, low-density living, and direct access to the Wind River Mountains over urban convenience. Energy workers, ranchers, and outdoor enthusiasts form the core of the population, while retirees and remote workers increasingly find the county's slower pace and lower costs appealing compared to Jackson Hole. The key trade-off is between Pinedale's walkable downtown and services versus the solitude and lower land prices of Big Piney, Boulder, or the backcountry—a choice that defines daily life in Wyoming's most scenic energy corridor.
Crime in Sublette County
Generally safer than 71% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Sublette County, Wyoming, is a predominantly rural and conservative jurisdiction where crime rates are notably lower than national averages, though property crime remains a more common concern than violent offenses. With a violent crime rate of 171.9 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,012.8 per 100,000, the county offers a generally safe environment compared to many parts of the United States. The county's small population—roughly 10,000 residents—and its strong community-oriented culture contribute to a sense of security, though residents in the unincorporated areas and smaller towns like Pinedale and Big Piney should remain vigilant about theft and vandalism.
Crime in context
Sublette County's violent crime rate of 171.9 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national average of approximately 380 per 100,000, and also below the Wyoming state average of about 240 per 100,000. This means residents face a lower risk of homicide, assault, robbery, and rape compared to most Americans. Property crime, however, is more prevalent: the county's rate of 1,012.8 per 100,000 is slightly above the Wyoming state average of roughly 950 per 100,000, but still well below the national average of around 1,950 per 100,000. The most common property crimes in Sublette County are theft and burglary, often linked to seasonal energy industry workers and transient populations in towns like Marbleton and Boulder. The county's District Attorney, who operates under a conservative legal framework, prioritizes prosecution of repeat offenders, which helps keep violent crime low. However, progressive judicial philosophies that prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration—common in some urban areas—are not a factor here, as Sublette County's courts consistently apply strict sentencing guidelines that deter criminal activity.
What residents experience
For those living in Sublette County, daily life is marked by a high degree of personal safety, especially in the county seat of Pinedale, where community watch programs and a visible sheriff's presence are standard. Residents in Big Piney and Marbleton report occasional issues with vehicle break-ins and theft from construction sites, particularly during the busy oil and gas seasons. Violent crime is rare, and when it does occur, it typically involves domestic disputes or alcohol-related incidents rather than random attacks. The county's law enforcement agencies, including the Sublette County Sheriff's Office and the Pinedale Police Department, maintain close ties with the community, fostering a culture of reporting and cooperation. This proactive approach, combined with a conservative judicial system that holds offenders accountable, means that most residents feel comfortable walking alone at night and leaving doors unlocked in rural areas. The absence of a large urban center or a progressive district attorney's office—which in other jurisdictions can lead to reduced charges and early releases—ensures that criminals face real consequences, reinforcing public trust in the justice system.
Neighborhood-level variation in Sublette County is largely tied to population density and proximity to energy industry hubs. The town of Pinedale is widely considered the safest and most family-friendly area, with low crime rates and well-maintained public spaces. In contrast, the smaller communities of Big Piney and Marbleton experience slightly higher property crime rates due to transient worker populations and less formal policing structures. Unincorporated areas like Bondurant and Daniel are extremely safe, with crime almost nonexistent, though residents there face longer emergency response times. Overall, Sublette County offers a secure living environment, particularly for those who prioritize conservative values in law enforcement and judicial accountability.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-07-08T13:23:01.000Z
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