Is Casper Safe, Pros and cons of living in Casper

Casper, Wyoming, situated in the heart of the state, offers a unique blend of outdoor recreation and a growing economy. Known for its stunning natural surroundings and a friendly community atmosphere, it attracts those seeking a more relaxed pace of life. The city provides a gateway to the rugged beauty of the West, with opportunities for hiking, fishing, and exploring. Casper also boasts a developing economic landscape, with a focus on energy, healthcare, and manufacturing.

The cost of living in Casper is notably lower than the national average, making it an attractive option for individuals and families looking to maximize their budget. Housing, in particular, is significantly more affordable, allowing for greater purchasing power. This affordability, combined with a strong sense of community and access to natural amenities, positions Casper as a compelling choice for those considering a move to Wyoming.

Is it Safe to Live in Casper?

Casper’s overall crime rate is reported to be higher than the national average, with specific concerns regarding property crime. However, safety can vary significantly by neighborhood, with some areas experiencing considerably more crime than others. Residents generally consider the southeastern parts of the city to be the safest.

The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Casper is approximately 1 in 348, while the chance of property crime is around 1 in 48 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). While Casper’s overall crime rate is higher than the national average, it is considered safer than 59% of U.S. cities (as reported by AreaVibes). The city’s crime rate is also higher than 97% of Wyoming’s cities and towns (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent Crime Statistics

Violent crime in Casper is reported at a rate of 3 per one thousand inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The estimated violent crime rate is 325.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% lower than the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). This means residents have roughly a 1 in 307 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year (as reported by DoorProfit).

Key violent crime rates include murder at 4.3 per 100,000, aggravated assault at 234.8 per 100,000, and robbery at 57.4 per 100,000 (as reported by DoorProfit). Compared to the national average, these figures are lower for murder (13% below), aggravated assault (12% below), and robbery (22% below) (as reported by DoorProfit).

Property Crime Statistics

Casper’s property crime rate is 21 per one thousand population (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The estimated property crime rate is 1,591.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 13% lower than the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). This translates to residents having approximately a 1 in 63 chance of being a property crime victim per year (as reported by DoorProfit).

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Casper, with an estimated rate of 1,137.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 19% below the national average for this crime type (as reported by DoorProfit). Burglary is reported at 177.8 per 100,000 (34% below average), and vehicle theft at 275.9 per 100,000 (13% below average) (as reported by DoorProfit).

Cost of Living and Housing in Casper

The cost of living in Casper is approximately 10% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com and Redfin). Housing costs are a significant contributor to this affordability, with Casper’s housing expenses being about 22% less expensive than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com).

For homeowners, the cost of living is about 9.5% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). Renters also benefit, with the cost of living being about 13.6% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com).

Home Prices

The median sale price of a home in Casper was $290,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin). Other reports indicate the average home value in Casper was $306,618 as of March 31, 2026 (as reported by Zillow), and $300,209 as of the same date (as reported by Zillow). The median home price is also reported as $320,000 (as reported by Advance Casper).

Casper’s median sale price is 34% lower than the national average (as reported by Redfin). The average home value in Casper is approximately 21% less than the average U.S. home value (as reported by Zillow).

Rental Costs

The average rent in Casper is approximately $995 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). This is significantly lower than the national average rent of $1,641 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). Other sources indicate an average rent of $1,100 as of April 2026 (as reported by Zumper).

For specific apartment sizes, a studio typically rents for around $801 per month, a one-bedroom for $995, a two-bedroom for $1,202, and a three-bedroom for $1,433 or more (as reported by Apartments.com). Another source lists average rents between $649 and $1,045 in 2026, with studios at $649, one-bedrooms at $1,045, and two-bedrooms at $1,039 (as reported by RentCafe).

Job Market and Economy

The average salary in Casper is approximately $56,797 annually, or about $27.31 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Another source indicates the average salary for jobs in Casper is $65,548 per year, or $32 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). The median household income in Casper was $70,218 (as reported by Data Commons and Point2Homes), with a median individual income of $49,172 (as reported by Data Commons).

The unemployment rate in Casper was 4.50% as of the latest reports, which is lower than the long-term average (as reported by YCharts). Another report states the unemployment rate in Casper was 4.2% in 2026 (as reported by Data Commons).

Major Employers

Key employers in Casper include Wyoming Medical Center, a large healthcare facility employing over 3,000 individuals (as reported by My Country 95.5 and Zippia). Wyoming Machinery, a provider and servicer of Caterpillar equipment, is another significant employer (as reported by My Country 95.5). Wyoming Employee Resource Capital & Service, which offers financial products and advisory services, also contributes to the local job market (as reported by My Country 95.5).

Other major employers include Walmart, McDonald’s, FedEx, Target, Dollar General, UPS, Kroger, Starbucks, and the United States Postal Service (as reported by Indeed.com). The healthcare and social assistance sector is the largest employment sector for Casper residents, followed by retail trade and educational services (as reported by Data USA).

Climate in Casper

Casper experiences a climate with significant temperature swings throughout the year, ranging from average highs of 88°F in July to average lows of 15°F in December (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The city receives an annual precipitation of approximately 16 inches, with about 74 inches of snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). May is typically the wettest month, while November is the driest.

The city enjoys an average of 220 sunny days per year (as reported by Visit Casper). Summer months offer warm temperatures, with July being the hottest with an average high of 88°F and a low of 56°F. Winter months are cold, with December reaching an average high of 37°F and a low of 16°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Temperature and Precipitation

Throughout the year, temperatures in Casper range from an average low of 15°F to an average high of 89°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Annual precipitation averages 16 inches, including rain and the liquid equivalent of snow (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Casper receives approximately 70 inches of snow in the winter (as reported by Visit Casper).

May is the wettest month, with an average of 3 inches of precipitation (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The driest month is November. The climate is generally dry, with a distinct dry season from June to March (as reported by Best Time to Visit).

Education in Casper

Casper, Wyoming, is served by Natrona County School District No. 1, which includes 26 public schools (as reported by Niche). The district has a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 (as reported by Niche). Public schools in Casper have an average ranking of 3 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Wyoming public schools (as reported by Niche).

Average math proficiency scores in Casper public schools are 42%, and reading proficiency scores are 51% (as reported by Niche). These scores are lower than the statewide averages for Wyoming public schools (as reported by Niche). The top-ranked public schools in Casper include Ft. Caspar Academy, Sagewood Elementary School, and Paradise Valley Elementary School (as reported by Niche).

School Performance

Casper public schools demonstrate lower proficiency rates in math and reading compared to the state average (as reported by Niche). Natrona County High School, for example, ranks within the bottom 50% of all public schools in Wyoming for overall test scores (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

However, some individual schools within the district receive higher ratings. Ft. Caspar Academy, Sagewood Elementary School, and Paradise Valley Elementary School are noted as top-ranked public schools (as reported by Niche). Natrona County School District No. 1 as a whole receives an overall Niche grade of B (as reported by Niche).

Demographics of Casper

Casper is home to approximately 58,823 residents as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The population is distributed with about 19.9% under 15, 12.5% between 15 and 24, 28.3% between 25 and 44, 22.3% between 45 and 64, and 17% aged 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Casper is 37.3 years (as reported by Data Commons).

The racial makeup of Casper is predominantly White, accounting for about 85% of the population (as reported by Data Commons). Other groups include Hispanic (9.1%) and those identifying with two or more races (4%) (as reported by Data Commons). In terms of citizenship, 99.2% of Casper residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).

Population and Age Distribution

Casper’s population was recorded at 58,839 residents according to the most recent Census data (as reported by Point2Homes). The gender distribution is nearly even, with 49.8% male and 50.2% female (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age is 37 years (as reported by Point2Homes).

The age distribution shows a significant portion of the population in the working-age brackets (25-64), with 28.3% between 25-44 and 22.3% between 45-64 (as reported by Point2Homes). The proportion of children under 15 is 19.9%, and those 65 and older make up about 17% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes).

Racial and Ethnic Composition

The largest racial/ethnic group in Casper is White, comprising 85% of the population (as reported by Data Commons). Hispanic individuals make up 9.1% of the population, and those identifying with two or more races constitute 4% (as reported by Data Commons). Other racial groups, such as Black or African American and Asian, represent smaller percentages of the population.

Approximately 97.7% of the population are U.S.-born citizens, with an additional 1.6% being naturalized citizens (as reported by Point2Homes). The remaining 0.8% of residents are non-citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).