Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Cheyenne?

Cheyenne, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $33,000 in Cheyenne.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Cheyenne?

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

Annapolis vs Cheyenne Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Cheyenne

Wyoming

$980/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $980 in Cheyenne, WY. Overall, Cheyenne, WY is roughly 46% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $77,176 in Cheyenne, WY — about 26% 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

Cheyenne, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$756

+39% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$824

+48% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,036

+44% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,478

+34% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$311,200

+39% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$77,176

+26% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$51,540

+13% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

38.9 yr

+2.0 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

67.7%

+7.9 pp in Cheyenne, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

32.9%

+20.8 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

16.1 min

+12.6 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

334.6

+58% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

3,030.3

+44% in Cheyenne, 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

46.5°F

+10.6°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

15.9 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Cheyenne, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.8

+32% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$13.31

+30% in Annapolis, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Cheyenne, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Cheyenne, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Cheyenne, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Cheyenne, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Cheyenne, 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 Cheyenne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Cheyenne?: Cheyenne, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Cheyenne?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $33,000 in Cheyenne.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Cheyenne?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Cheyenne 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).