City Comparison

Cheyenne vs Ithaca

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

Ithaca

New York
94
Below Average
$324,000
Median Home
$1,475/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

Ithaca is 1.1% less expensive than Cheyenne overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cheyenne would need approximately $74,211 in Ithaca to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
85
Cheyenne
117
Ithaca
Groceries
98
Cheyenne
103
Ithaca
Utilities
90
Cheyenne
102
Ithaca
Transportation
98
Cheyenne
96
Ithaca
Healthcare
100
Cheyenne
99
Ithaca

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $74,211 in Ithaca.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ithaca equals $75,798 in Cheyenne.

Living in Cheyenne vs Ithaca

Housing Costs

Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is lower Ithaca's 117, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $324,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $1,475/mo in Ithaca, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 103 in Ithaca. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne vs $489/month in Ithaca. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Cheyenne and 102 in Ithaca. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne vs $408 in Ithaca. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Cheyenne and 99 in Ithaca. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,834 in Cheyenne and $48,600 in Ithaca. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 and $51,702 respectively. Cheyenne residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $1,134/month in Ithaca. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Ithaca, median rent of $1,475/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ithaca is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 94 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,211 in Ithaca, based on the cost of living difference.
Cheyenne's housing index is 85 with median homes at $280,000, while Ithaca's is 117 with median homes at $324,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases