C

Chugwater, WY

Source:

Affordability Score: 59/100

Population: 399 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Chugwater, WY aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 399 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C (59/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $68,200, median home value of $228,400, median rent of $643 per month, and 17.6% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $963 per month (studio $761, 1BR $785, 3BR $1,253, 4BR $1,590). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $8,242 per year, consuming 12% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Chugwater, WY include rent. Pressure points are education. Unemployment currently reads 2.1% and poverty 6.9% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C
$68,200
Median household income
Education F
17.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing C
3.3x
Home value $228,400 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent A
$963/mo
2BR fair market rent (17% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C+
$8,242/yr
Center-based infant care (12% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$68,200
▲ 10% vs national
Per Capita Income
$34,304
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Poverty Rate
6.9%

Housing

Median Home Value
$228,400
▼ 17% vs national
Median Rent
$643/mo
Owner Occupied
89.0%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$963/mo
▼ 20% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$761
1BR
$785
2BR
$963
3BR
$1,253
4BR
$1,590

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
17.6%
▼ 12 ppt vs national
High School+
69.5%
Median Age
69.5
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$8,242/yr
12% of income
Toddler (Center)
$7,212/yr
Preschool (Center)
$7,212/yr
School-Age (Center)
$5,423/yr

What This Means

Chugwater, WY receives an overall affordability grade of C (59/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 399. This area performs well in rent. Challenges include education. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Chugwater, WY affordable?
Chugwater, WY receives an overall affordability grade of C (59/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $68,200. Median home value is $228,400.
What is the cost of living in Chugwater?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $643/mo. 2BR fair market rent $963/mo. Infant childcare $8,242/yr. Median home value $228,400.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →