Platte County scores 73.6, well above the national median of 50.0. This top-40% national ranking signals strong overall livability across multiple dimensions.
2 / 5
Solid performer above state average
Platte County scores 73.6, above Wyoming's 71.8 state average and ranking in the upper tier among these eight counties. It represents a reliably strong choice statewide.
3 / 5
Exceptional housing affordability and taxes
Platte County delivers the lowest median gross rent at $745/month (82.4 cost score) and an 85.7 tax score with 0.588% effective rate. This combination offers unmatched affordability for renters and fiscally conscious residents.
4 / 5
Lower income and health outcomes
Platte's income score of 26.7 with $66,299 median household income ranks below several peers. Health outcomes at 65.1 lag most other counties in this group, and risk volatility at 74.3 suggests moderate economic fluctuations.
5 / 5
Perfect for affordable-living seekers
Platte County suits budget-conscious families, renters, and those seeking minimal housing costs without sacrificing livability. It's Wyoming's value choice for those prioritizing rent affordability and tax efficiency over high wages.
Platte County scores 73.6, well above the national median of 50.0. This top-40% national ranking signals strong overall livability across multiple dimensions.
Solid performer above state average
Platte County scores 73.6, above Wyoming's 71.8 state average and ranking in the upper tier among these eight counties. It represents a reliably strong choice statewide.
Exceptional housing affordability and taxes
Platte County delivers the lowest median gross rent at $745/month (82.4 cost score) and an 85.7 tax score with 0.588% effective rate. This combination offers unmatched affordability for renters and fiscally conscious residents.
Lower income and health outcomes
Platte's income score of 26.7 with $66,299 median household income ranks below several peers. Health outcomes at 65.1 lag most other counties in this group, and risk volatility at 74.3 suggests moderate economic fluctuations.
Perfect for affordable-living seekers
Platte County suits budget-conscious families, renters, and those seeking minimal housing costs without sacrificing livability. It's Wyoming's value choice for those prioritizing rent affordability and tax efficiency over high wages.
Score breakdown
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🏛85.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Platte County's effective tax rate of 0.588% ranks slightly above the national median, with median taxes of $1,464 versus the national median of $2,690. The county falls in the 50th percentile nationally—right at the midpoint of American property tax burden.
Third-highest in Wyoming
Platte County's 0.588% effective rate ranks third-highest among Wyoming's 23 counties, trailing only Natrona (0.618%) and Laramie (0.583%). It exceeds the state average of 0.556% by roughly 6%.
Pricier than most regional options
Platte County's 0.588% rate exceeds Hot Springs (0.561%), Johnson (0.552%), and Lincoln (0.436%) while trailing only Natrona (0.618%) among close neighbors. It ranks among the higher-tax counties in central Wyoming.
Median home costs $1,464 yearly
Platte County homeowners with a median-valued property of $248,900 pay approximately $1,464 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $1,681; without one, it drops to $1,292.
Review your property assessment
As one of Wyoming's higher-tax counties, Platte residents benefit from scrutinizing their assessments carefully. If your assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, filing an appeal could reduce your annual tax obligation.
Platte County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.5% ranks among America's most affordable housing markets, well below the national benchmark, with median household income of $66,299 approaching the national average of $74,755. This county demonstrates that Wyoming's smaller markets can deliver genuine affordability without sacrificing economic viability.
Wyoming's Second-Most Affordable
Platte County's 13.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks second-best in Wyoming, trailing only Lincoln County's exceptional 12.1%. Among the eight surveyed counties, Platte represents one of the state's strongest affordability stories, with rents and incomes in genuine balance.
Lowest Rents in the Survey
Platte County's median rent of $745/month stands as the lowest in the entire survey, running 20% below the state average, while median home values of $248,900 sit squarely in the affordable band. This rare combination of low rents and reasonable home prices makes Platte an outlier opportunity.
Platte County's Exceptional Value
Renters pay just $745 monthly while homeowners invest $834—both among the survey's lowest costs—and median household income of $66,299 means families allocate only 13.5% to rent. This leaves Platte County households with over 86% of income available for savings, emergencies, and quality-of-life investments.
Platte County: Hidden Gem for Affordability
If you're relocating for cost of living and don't require metro amenities, Platte County delivers Wyoming's second-best rent-to-income ratio (13.5%) and the lowest rents statewide at $745/month. Compare Platte to Lincoln if both offer job prospects; either choice positions you in the state's genuine affordability tier.
Platte County's median household income of $66,299 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by approximately $8,450. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier nationally, typical of smaller rural and agricultural regions.
Below Wyoming average
Platte's $66,299 falls about $7,000 short of Wyoming's state average of $73,360, placing it in the bottom half of the state's counties. The gap reflects the county's smaller population and agricultural-dependent economy.
Mid-tier among regional peers
Platte's $66,299 exceeds Niobrara ($48,987) and Hot Springs ($64,375) but trails Laramie ($77,884) and Lincoln ($86,092). Regional economic variation shows how industry composition dramatically affects household earning power.
Rent costs very manageable
Platte County leads the region with the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 13.5%, indicating exceptional housing affordability. At $248,900, median home values are reasonable and accessible for median-income households.
Use affordability to build savings
With only 13.5% of income going to rent, Platte households have substantial opportunity to fund emergency savings, retirement accounts, and long-term investments. Commit to redirecting the 30% housing affordability headroom into automatic savings vehicles.
Platte County residents reach 75.1 years on average, nearly 4 years below the U.S. average of 79 years. With 16.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces health challenges comparable to the highest-risk peers nationally.
Well below Wyoming's state health average
Platte County's 75.1-year life expectancy trails Wyoming's state average of 77.0 years by 1.9 years. The 16.2% poor/fair health rate matches Hot Springs County and signals significant population health vulnerabilities across the county.
Among the lowest life expectancy in state
Platte County's 75.1-year life expectancy ranks third-lowest among peers, ahead of only Hot Springs and Natrona counties. Primary care access is critically low at 46 providers per 100K—the worst in the entire sample—making routine care difficult to access.
High uninsured rate, critical primary care shortage
15.6% of Platte County residents lack health insurance, above Wyoming's average of 14.8%, while only 46 primary care providers per 100K serve the population—the lowest rate among all sampled counties. With 269 mental health providers per 100K available, the imbalance between mental health and primary care access leaves residents struggling to find routine care.
Act now to secure health coverage
Platte County's low primary care availability and above-average uninsured rate require urgent action on coverage and care coordination. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health department to enroll in a plan and locate the primary care providers available in your area.
Platte County scores 25.73 on the composite risk scale, placing it below the national average and earning a Very Low rating. The county experiences roughly 65% less disaster risk than typical U.S. counties.
Among Wyoming's safest counties
Platte County ranks in the lower half of Wyoming's natural disaster risk with a score of 25.73, well below the state average of 37.86. The county benefits from low earthquake (40.59) and flood (33.17) exposure.
Safer than Park, comparable to Hot Springs
Platte County's 25.73 score ranks between Hot Springs (16.09) and Johnson (19.31), making it one of the region's safer areas. It faces substantially lower risk than Park County (57.73), though wildfire exposure (87.60) remains high by county standards.
Wildfire and tornado the primary threats
Wildfire risk reaches 87.60 in Platte County, making it the county's most significant hazard, while tornado exposure climbs to 33.59. Together these fire and storm hazards dominate the county's risk profile, though both remain manageable with proper preparation.
Prioritize wildfire and tornado coverage
Platte County residents should secure wildfire insurance, as standard homeowners policies often exclude or limit fire damage from vegetation fires. Add tornado/hail coverage to protect against the county's secondary risk, and ensure your property meets basic wildfire defense landscaping standards.