Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Casper?

Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Casper?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $31,000 in Casper.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Casper?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Casper Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/mo est.

Casper

Wyoming

$930/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,830 in Annapolis, MD versus $930 in Casper, WY. Overall, Casper, WY is roughly 49% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $69,171 in Casper, WY — about 34% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Casper, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$730

+41% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$764

+52% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$930

+50% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,299

+42% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$250,700

+51% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$69,171

+34% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$48,880

+17% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

37.0 yr

+3.9 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

70.3%

+10.5 pp in Casper, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

30.0%

+23.7 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

16.9 min

+11.8 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

302.4

+62% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

2,123.8

+1% in Casper, WY

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

45.4°F

+11.7°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

12.5 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Casper, WY

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.2

+30% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$18.28

+19% in Annapolis, MD

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Casper, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Casper, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Casper, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Casper, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Casper, WY

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / WY)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Casper — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Casper?: Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Casper?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $31,000 in Casper.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Casper?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).