Cheyenne County's composite score of 78.5 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 57%, placing it decisively in the nation's top tier for overall livability. The strength comes primarily from exceptionally affordable housing and favorable tax conditions that benefit budget-conscious families.
2 / 5
Colorado's 6th-Best Overall Livability Score
Cheyenne's 78.5 score ranks 6th among Colorado's 64 counties, exceeding the state average of 71.8 by nearly 7 points. The county stands out as one of the state's most affordable and tax-friendly destinations for residents seeking value.
3 / 5
Exceptional Affordability and Low Taxes
Cheyenne County delivers a cost score of 83.1 with a median home value of just $187,100 and rent at $862/month—well below state norms. A tax score of 89.3 and effective rate of 0.461% further enhance affordability, making this among Colorado's most budget-friendly counties.
4 / 5
Lower Incomes and Incomplete Data
The income score of 27.6 reflects a median household income of $67,768, below state and national averages. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and other factors prevents a comprehensive livability assessment for families evaluating schools and community infrastructure.
5 / 5
Perfect for Budget-First Families and Retirees
Cheyenne County is ideal for households prioritizing affordability above all else—whether young families stretching dollars or fixed-income retirees seeking maximum purchasing power. The trade-off is location: this is rural, plains-based Colorado, not the mountains or metro areas.
Cheyenne County's composite score of 78.5 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 57%, placing it decisively in the nation's top tier for overall livability. The strength comes primarily from exceptionally affordable housing and favorable tax conditions that benefit budget-conscious families.
Colorado's 6th-Best Overall Livability Score
Cheyenne's 78.5 score ranks 6th among Colorado's 64 counties, exceeding the state average of 71.8 by nearly 7 points. The county stands out as one of the state's most affordable and tax-friendly destinations for residents seeking value.
Exceptional Affordability and Low Taxes
Cheyenne County delivers a cost score of 83.1 with a median home value of just $187,100 and rent at $862/month—well below state norms. A tax score of 89.3 and effective rate of 0.461% further enhance affordability, making this among Colorado's most budget-friendly counties.
Lower Incomes and Incomplete Data
The income score of 27.6 reflects a median household income of $67,768, below state and national averages. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and other factors prevents a comprehensive livability assessment for families evaluating schools and community infrastructure.
Perfect for Budget-First Families and Retirees
Cheyenne County is ideal for households prioritizing affordability above all else—whether young families stretching dollars or fixed-income retirees seeking maximum purchasing power. The trade-off is location: this is rural, plains-based Colorado, not the mountains or metro areas.
Score breakdown
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🏛89.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Cheyenne County's effective rate of 0.461% ranks above the national median of 0.370%, placing it roughly in the 65th percentile. Despite a lower median home value of $187,100, residents pay $863 annually—below the national median of $2,690.
Higher than Colorado average
At 0.461%, Cheyenne County's effective tax rate exceeds Colorado's 0.393% average by about 18%. The county's median tax of $863 falls well below the state average of $1,560, reflecting its significantly lower home values.
Eastern plains carry steep rates
Cheyenne's 0.461% rate is among Colorado's highest, outpacing neighboring rural counties and nearby Crowley County (0.492%). Eastern plains counties generally impose higher effective rates than mountain and western slope regions.
Median home costs $863 yearly
On Cheyenne's $187,100 median home, annual property taxes run approximately $863. Mortgage holders pay more ($1,175) due to escrow, while those without mortgages pay $589.
Appeal if you're overassessed
Many Colorado property owners are overassessed relative to market value and can appeal their valuations to save hundreds annually. If you believe your home is assessed too high, your county assessor's office can walk you through the process.
Cheyenne County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% is well below the national average, making it one of Colorado's most affordable rental markets. Renters here spend less than one-sixth of their income on rent, significantly better than typical American households.
Colorado's most affordable county by far
Cheyenne ranks among Colorado's most affordable counties, with a 15.3% rent-to-income ratio beating the state average of 20.2% by 5 percentage points. The median rent of $862 is the lowest among these eight counties and $391 below Colorado's median.
Eastern Colorado's bargain housing market
Cheyenne's $862 median rent is the cheapest in this region, undercutting Conejos County by $138 and Costilla County by $5. This rural eastern county offers unmatched affordability for those willing to embrace a less urban lifestyle.
Just 15% of income goes to rent
On a median household income of $67,768, Cheyenne renters spend only $862 monthly—15.3% of earnings, leaving substantial room for savings and other expenses. Homeowners fare even better, dedicating just 11.4% of income to monthly ownership costs.
Relocating to Cheyenne? You'll save.
This eastern county offers unbeatable housing affordability for remote workers and retirees seeking lower cost of living without Colorado's mountain-town price tags. Median home values of $187,100 make ownership realistic for middle-income households.
Cheyenne County's median household income of $67,768 is roughly $7,000 below the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects the economic challenges facing rural, agriculture-dependent counties across the Great Plains.
Below average by Colorado standards
Cheyenne County earns $67,768 per household, nearly $7,000 less than Colorado's state average of $74,792. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier among Colorado's 64 counties, typical for Plains counties with limited urban centers.
Eastern Plains income reality
Cheyenne's $67,768 median income reflects the economic pressures shared across Colorado's eastern plains, where agricultural employment and small town economies dominate. Without nearby urban centers like Denver or Fort Collins, the county's earning potential remains constrained compared to mountain or metro-adjacent counties.
Affordable housing anchors Cheyenne stability
Cheyenne's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks as one of Colorado's most affordable, with median home values at just $187,100. This affordability advantage allows households to stretch their $67,768 income further than most Colorado residents.
Low housing costs fuel Cheyenne wealth-building
With rent consuming just 15% of household income, Cheyenne families have meaningful capacity to save and invest the remaining $67,768 annually. Aggressive saving into index funds or agricultural business investments can accelerate wealth accumulation in this affordable county.
At 73.8 years, Cheyenne County residents live nearly 5 years less than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. With 14.6% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces steeper health challenges than most of the nation.
Well below Colorado health standards
Cheyenne County's 73.8-year life expectancy trails Colorado's state average of 78.2 years by more than 4 years, marking one of the state's lowest outcomes. The health disparity signals pressing need for targeted interventions.
Isolation compounds health challenges
Cheyenne's 73.8-year life expectancy falls far short of Custer County (79.2 years) and even distant Clear Creek County (83.6 years). Rural location and limited health data make it harder to assess provider availability and plan care.
Coverage good, data shows gaps
Cheyenne's 9.0% uninsured rate is slightly better than Colorado's 9.7%, yet provider data remains unavailable, limiting visibility into care access. Rural counties often struggle to attract health providers despite good insurance coverage.
Health starts with insurance
Getting covered is your first step toward better health outcomes. Visit Colorado's health marketplace to explore plans and help bridge gaps in your county's care network.
With a composite risk score of just 3.02, Cheyenne ranks in the very low category—far safer than the typical American county. This eastern plains county experiences one of the lowest natural hazard exposures in the nation.
Colorado's safest counties include Cheyenne
Cheyenne's 3.02 score places it among the lowest-risk counties in Colorado, well below the state average of 40.67. Residents here enjoy significantly lower disaster exposure than most of their state neighbors.
Safest county on the eastern plains
Cheyenne (3.02) is substantially safer than Crowley County to the west (3.88) and comparable to other plains counties. The flat terrain and distance from mountain ranges shield this county from major natural hazards.
Wildfire is the one measurable concern
Even Cheyenne's highest-risk hazard—wildfire at 30.38—remains well below county and state averages. Tornado risk is low at 15.17, and flood risk minimal at 3.98.
Standard coverage likely sufficient here
Your county's very low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically covers your major exposures. Still review your policy annually and consider brush management around structures as a low-cost preventive measure.