Albany County scores 69.3 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top 38% of U.S. counties. This 39-point advantage reflects stronger-than-average tax efficiency, housing affordability, and health outcomes across the region.
2 / 5
Slightly below Wyoming's county average
With a composite score of 69.3, Albany County ranks fifth among Wyoming's eight largest counties, just below the state average of 71.8. The gap is modest, signaling competitive livability against peer counties in the state.
3 / 5
Tax and housing efficiency lead the way
Albany County excels in tax burden (86.2/100) with an effective tax rate of just 0.573%, and offers solid housing affordability at a median home value of $322,100 and rent of $936/month. Health outcomes also register strongly at 70.5/100, reflecting access to quality care and wellness resources.
4 / 5
Income growth lags significantly
The county's income score of 22.5/100 is its weakest dimension, with a median household income of $59,881 trailing both state peers and national benchmarks. Risk assessment also shows room for improvement at 51.5/100, warranting attention to environmental and economic resilience factors.
5 / 5
Ideal for cost-conscious retirees and families
Albany County suits households prioritizing low taxes, reasonable housing costs, and reliable health services over rapid income growth. This county appeals most to established families, early retirees, and remote workers seeking stability in an affordable, tax-friendly environment.
Albany County scores 69.3 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top 38% of U.S. counties. This 39-point advantage reflects stronger-than-average tax efficiency, housing affordability, and health outcomes across the region.
Slightly below Wyoming's county average
With a composite score of 69.3, Albany County ranks fifth among Wyoming's eight largest counties, just below the state average of 71.8. The gap is modest, signaling competitive livability against peer counties in the state.
Tax and housing efficiency lead the way
Albany County excels in tax burden (86.2/100) with an effective tax rate of just 0.573%, and offers solid housing affordability at a median home value of $322,100 and rent of $936/month. Health outcomes also register strongly at 70.5/100, reflecting access to quality care and wellness resources.
Income growth lags significantly
The county's income score of 22.5/100 is its weakest dimension, with a median household income of $59,881 trailing both state peers and national benchmarks. Risk assessment also shows room for improvement at 51.5/100, warranting attention to environmental and economic resilience factors.
Ideal for cost-conscious retirees and families
Albany County suits households prioritizing low taxes, reasonable housing costs, and reliable health services over rapid income growth. This county appeals most to established families, early retirees, and remote workers seeking stability in an affordable, tax-friendly environment.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛86.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.573%, Albany County's effective tax rate is roughly one-third lower than the national median of 0.85%, placing it among the most affordable counties in America. The median property tax here is $1,846 annually—well below the national median of $2,690—despite homes being worth slightly more than the national average.
Slightly above Wyoming's already-low average
Albany County ranks third-highest among Wyoming counties for tax burden, with an effective rate of 0.573% compared to the state average of 0.556%. Still, the median tax bill of $1,846 is only $180 more than the state median, reflecting Wyoming's reputation as a low-tax state.
Higher than most northern Wyoming counties
Albany's 0.573% rate edges above Campbell County (0.550%) and Carbon County (0.560%), but trails Big Horn County (0.583%) and Converse County (0.577%). Among comparable counties in the region, Albany sits in the middle—not the cheapest, but still well below national norms.
Own a median-valued home? Pay $1,846 yearly
A $322,100 median-valued home in Albany County generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,846—or about $154 monthly. With mortgage-related taxes included, owners pay roughly $1,922 per year.
You may be overassessed—consider an appeal
Many homeowners across Wyoming don't realize their properties are assessed above market value, leaving money on the table. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent sales in your neighborhood, filing a property tax appeal could lower your bill.
Albany County renters spend 18.8% of their income on rent, well above the national norm of roughly 13–15%. While the county's median household income of $59,881 trails the national median of $74,755, housing expenses consume a larger share of household budgets here than they do across America.
Least Affordable in Wyoming
Among Wyoming counties, Albany ranks as one of the least affordable for renters, with a 18.8% rent-to-income ratio versus the state average of 15.5%. This gap reflects both lower median incomes and rental costs that stay relatively high despite the county's smaller population.
Carbon and Fremont Offer Relief
Albany's $936 monthly rent exceeds nearby Carbon County ($894) and Fremont County ($858), making those neighbors more forgiving for renters on a budget. By contrast, homeownership costs in Albany ($1,279/month) are steeper than in Carbon ($812) and Fremont ($827), suggesting Albany appeals more to renters than buyers.
Nearly One-Fifth Goes to Rent
Renters in Albany County allocate $936 monthly to housing, while homeowners pay $1,279—together demonstrating why housing consumes 18.8% of the typical household budget. Median incomes of $59,881 annually leave limited room for other expenses when housing claims nearly one-fifth of earnings.
Consider Your Housing Style Here
If you're relocating to Albany, weigh renting versus buying carefully: renters face tighter margins, but homebuyers should budget for above-average owner costs. Comparing Albany's affordability to nearby Carbon and Fremont counties could reveal savings opportunities just a short drive away.
Albany County's median household income of $59,881 sits about 20% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This gap means families here earn roughly $15,000 less per year than the typical American household, a meaningful difference in purchasing power.
Below-average earner statewide
At $59,881, Albany County ranks near the bottom of Wyoming's income ladder, falling $13,479 short of the state's $73,360 median. Among Wyoming's 23 counties, Albany is among the lower performers in household earning power.
Laramie's income challenge
Albany County neighbors like Carbon ($66,721) and Fremont ($64,646) earn noticeably more per household. Big Horn County to the north reports similar struggles at $60,547, suggesting lower-income clusters in central and northern Wyoming.
Rent is affordable, but tight
At 18.8%, Albany's rent-to-income ratio is manageable and well below the 30% affordability threshold, yet remains the highest among our peer counties. Renters here spend roughly $932 monthly on rent against median household income, leaving adequate room for other expenses.
Build savings despite modest income
With manageable housing costs, Albany County households have genuine opportunity to prioritize savings and retirement planning. Even modest monthly investments in 401(k)s or IRAs compound significantly over time—starting early matters more than starting big.
At 78.5 years, Albany County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by more than two years. Just 15.2% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly below the national rate of 17.3%, suggesting a relatively healthy population by national standards.
Top health outcomes in Wyoming
Albany County ranks among Wyoming's healthiest counties, with life expectancy 1.5 years above the state average of 77.0 years. The county's 15.2% poor/fair health rate is better than most Wyoming counties, placing it in the top tier for overall health outcomes.
Strong advantage over neighboring counties
Albany County outpaces nearby Carbon County (75.8 years) and Big Horn County (76.1 years) in life expectancy. With 80 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Albany also exceeds Campbell County's 56 per 100K and Big Horn's 34 per 100K.
Accessible care meets lower uninsured rates
Albany County's 13.7% uninsured rate sits below the state average of 14.8%, and the county's 80 primary care providers per 100,000 residents ensure most residents can access routine care. With 617 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—more than triple the state median—Albany County residents have robust access to behavioral health services.
Check your health insurance options
Even in Albany County, nearly 1 in 8 residents lack health coverage. Visit healthcare.gov to explore federal marketplace plans, Medicaid eligibility, or employer options available to you.
Albany County has a composite risk score of 48.47, placing it in the relatively low category but well above Wyoming's state average of 37.86. The county faces meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly wildfire and seismic activity, that merit serious planning.
Mid-range vulnerability within Wyoming
Among Wyoming's 23 counties, Albany ranks in the middle tier for overall disaster risk. The county's composite score of 48.47 reflects elevated wildfire exposure (84.67) and moderate earthquake risk (61.55) compared to most of its peers.
Riskier than Big Horn, less exposed than Campbell
Albany faces notably higher overall risk than neighboring Big Horn County (31.14) but less severe exposure than Campbell County to the north (56.14). Wildfire risk particularly stands out as Albany's chief hazard—more dangerous here than in adjacent counties.
Wildfires and earthquakes dominate Albany's threats
Wildfire risk scores 84.67 in Albany—among the state's highest—reflecting the county's forest and grassland exposure. Earthquake risk (61.55) and flood risk (44.08) round out the county's hazard profile, each requiring distinct preparation strategies.
Wildfire and earthquake insurance deserve priority
Homeowners in Albany should ensure they have comprehensive wildfire coverage, including defensible space maintenance and ember-resistant upgrades. Earthquake insurance, though often overlooked, protects against significant seismic damage—and Albany's 61.55 earthquake score makes it a prudent addition to your policy.