Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Laramie?

Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Bowling Green, KY's $1,020, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Laramie?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $29,000 in Laramie.

Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Laramie?

Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Bowling Green vs Laramie Cost of Living 2026

Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/mo est.

Laramie

Wyoming

$890/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY versus $890 in Laramie, WY. Overall, Laramie, WY is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bowling Green, KY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY and $52,414 in Laramie, WY — about 8% higher in Laramie, WY. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Bowling Green, KY

Laramie, WY

Rent

Studio

$878

$667

+24% in Bowling Green, KY

1 Bedroom

$833

$728

+13% in Bowling Green, KY

2 Bedroom

$960

$883

+8% in Bowling Green, KY

3 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,423

+17% in Laramie, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$232,100

$302,200

+30% in Laramie, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$48,419

$52,414

+8% in Laramie, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,040

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

27.9 yr

26.9 yr

+1.0 yr in Bowling Green, KY

Homeownership

37.3%

44.1%

+6.8 pp in Laramie, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.0%

55.8%

+23.8 pp in Laramie, WY

Avg Commute

18.8 min

13.5 min

+5.3 min in Bowling Green, KY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

231

129.6

+44% in Bowling Green, KY

Property Crime

2,984.4

1,175.9

+61% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.0°F

41.0°F

+17.0°F in Bowling Green, KY

Annual Precipitation

49.9 in

10.9 in

+39.0 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Laramie, WY

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

15.2

+7% in Laramie, WY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.20

$18.28

+45% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Laramie, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Laramie, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Bowling Green, KY

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Laramie, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Laramie, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Laramie, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KY / WY)

+2.0 pp in KY

Income Tax (top rate)

3.50%

None

+3.5 pp in KY

Bowling Green vs Laramie — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Laramie?: Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Bowling Green, KY's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Laramie?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $29,000 in Laramie.
Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Laramie?: Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Laramie 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).