Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, was named in 1867 for the Native American people who lived on the land. There is a strong feeling of community here, making it a great place to live. If you’re considering moving to Cheyenne, you may wonder which areas to consider and which to steer clever of.
Below, we’ll discuss some of the neighborhoods in Cheyenne you’ll want to avoid and some safer alternatives. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know before buying a home!
The 3 Most Dangerous Places to Live in Cheyenne
Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, is a great place to live. The city and the surrounding areas have a wholesome, somewhat cowboy-themed vibe, with good schools and beautiful landscapes. It is extremely difficult to find any “bad” neighborhoods in Cheyenne. However, some parts of the city are less desirable than others.
Those areas include:
- Cheyenne South
- South Greeley
- Fox-Farm College
Below, we’ll discuss each of these areas in detail.
Cheyenne South
Cheyenne South is located in the southwest part of Cheyenne.
It is south of 16th Street and butts up against the interchange of I-25 and I-80. It is also the location of South High School.
16th Street, also known as W Lincolnway, is located one block from the Union Pacific Railroad and the Cheyenne Depot Museum.
Cheyenne South has a homeless population that’s known to be violent. One recent incident involved a stabbing of a young teen by a homeless man.
South Greeley
South Greeley is a CDP, or census-designated place, within the Cheyenne metro area. It is located at the southern tip of Cheyenne.
Just under 17% of South Greeley’s population lives below the poverty line.
According to Area Vibes, South Greeley’s crime rate shows 229 violent crimes annually and 1578 property crimes each year.
Fox-Farm College
Fox Farm College is located on the southeastern side of Cheyenne and another CDP in the Cheyenne metro area.
Here, you will find industrial factories, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and two colleges — Fox-Farm College and Laramie Community College.
According to Crime Grade, Fox-Farm College has a safety grade of D. Its most frequent violent crime is assault.
The 2 Best Neighborhoods in Cheyenne
While Cheyenne is beautiful throughout it, Northern and Central Cheyenne are considered the most desirable. Two of the best, safest areas in the city of Cheyenne include Thomas Heights and Saddle Ridge.
We discuss the specifics of each neighborhood below.
Thomas Heights
Thomas Heights is a residential neighborhood located in northeast Cheyenne.
This neighborhood was created as part of a Government Unified Development code that helps establish safer neighborhoods to draw in homeowners.
Thomas Heights is full of single-family homes with garden-level basements. It is minutes from various shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Saddle Ridge
Saddle Ridge is located in East Cheyenne, just off highway 30 and Whitney Road.
This neighborhood is also close to shopping, dining, and the beautiful Cheyenne Greenway.
Saddle Ridge is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the city, with family-friendly, energy-efficient homes.
In addition to all this, Saddle Ridge is also home to the top four elementary schools in Cheyenne. These include:
- Poder Academy
- Gilchrist Elementary School
- Miller Elementary School
- Pioneer Park Elementary School
If you have young children, Saddle Ridge is the best neighborhood in Cheyenne to move to.
What are the Crime Statistics in Cheyenne?
Whenever you’re considering moving to a new city, looking at the crime statistics is a must,
According to Neighborhood Scout, The following charts show the annual crime statistics in Cheyenne for both violent and nonviolent incidents.
Violent | Property | Total | |
Number of Crimes | 244 | 2,186 | 2,430 |
Crime Rate (Per 1,000 residents) | 3.75 | 33.56 | 37.31 |
The following chart breaks down the types of violent crimes in this city.
Murder | Rape | Robbery | Assault | |
Report Total | 2 | 35 | 27 | 180 |
Crime Rate (Per 1,000 residents) | 0.03 | 0.54 | .041 | 2.76 |
These charts tell us that you’re much more likely to experience a property-related crime in Cheyenne than a violent crime.
The Pros of Living in Cheyenne
Cheyenne is a friendly place with many community events and entertainment, such as the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. There is always something to do here.
Just a few of the pros of calling this city home include:
- Affordable cost of living
- Stable employment opportunities
- A beautiful natural environment
- Little to no traffic
- Low taxes
Below, we’ll discuss more information on each of these high points.
Affordable Cost of Living
Cheyenne’s rent and home purchase prices are lower than the national average, making this city very affordable.
Generally, a studio apartment in Cheyenne will cost you around $650 a month, while a one to two-bedroom ranges from $687 to $874. The median cost for a three to four-bedroom home in Cheyenne is $499,000. You can even find some two-bedroom homes for under $100,000, depending on the area you look in.
Stable Employment Opportunities
The employment opportunities are very stable in Cheyenne, with most jobs involving the Union Pacific Railroad and industries such as agriculture and energy.
The three main options for employment are agricultural, energy-related, and the railroad.
A Beautiful Natural Environment
Cheyenne has plenty of wide-open spaces, clean air, and recreation opportunities.
You can visit Mylar Park for volleyball, a picnic, or fishing and kayaking.
No Traffic
The population of Cheyenne is around 65,000. Even though it is a city, the population is low compared to other U.S. cities.
Because the population is somewhat low, there is also very little traffic, which makes the city easy to get around.
The average commute time here is just 15 minutes.
Low Taxes
Wyoming has some of the lowest property taxes in the U.S., with an average of 0.57%. Cheyenne is one of the few places that does not charge an income tax.
The 2022 sales tax rate for Cheyenne, Wyoming is 6%. This is for all state, city, and country tax rates.
According to Avalara, Wyoming’s state sales tax rate is currently set at 4%, and Laramie County’s sales tax rate is only 2%.
The Cons of Living in Cheyenne
Despite the many beautiful things about Cheyenne, there are cons to living there, just like any other city.
These include:
- The weather and climate
- High elevation
- Rural feel
Below, we’ll discuss a few things to think twice about before moving to Cheyenne.
The Weather and Climate
Summers in Cheyenne are clear and warm.
Winters, on the other hand, can be frigid. You can expect freezing temperatures, snow, and wind.
The chart below will highlight the average temperature of Cheyenne during each season.
Season | Average Temperature |
Summer | 74° |
Fall | 59° |
Winter | 39° |
Spring | 55° |
While summers are quite temperate, the rest of the year may be unpleasant for anyone sensitive to cold weather.
High Elevation
Cheyenne has an elevation of 6063 feet.
This high elevation means less oxygen is inhaled with each breath, so it’s not the best city for anyone with pre-existing breathing conditions.
Rural Feel
Cheyenne is a very agricultural area. The many farms give it a slowed-down, rural feel.
While this is great for some, others may prefer a city with a more bustling atmosphere.
In Conclusion
Although some areas of Cheyenne, Wyoming are not as nice as others, the consensus is that there is no real danger associated with living here.
The worst neighborhoods in and around Cheyenne include Cheyenne South, South Greeley, and Fox-Farm College.
On the other hand, Saddle Ridge and Thomas Heights are deemed the safest and most desirable areas in Cheyenne.
These areas are home to beautiful homes, scenery, and close proximity to shopping, dining, and entertainment.