Cody, WY, United States🏛️ Capital City
📊 Scores
Tourism drives nearly everything here—Yellowstone visitors fill hotels, restaurants, and shops seasonally. The Irma Hotel and outfitting businesses are major employers, along with some remaining oil and gas work. Seasonal employment dominates; winter is lean unless you're in hospitality management or remote work. Real jobs are scarce; most locals either own tourism businesses, work retail/service, or commute to Jackson or Billings.
Rent runs $900/month for a one-bedroom downtown, reasonable by mountain-town standards but wages don't always match. Winter is brutal—expect −20°F regularly and heavy snow. Healthcare requires driving to Billings (90 minutes) for specialists. No public transit; a car is mandatory. Bureaucracy is standard Wyoming, but the real friction is isolation: limited services, one grocery store, and internet can be spotty outside town.
Summers are stunning—300 sunny days, hiking, fishing, and Yellowstone access make weekends easy. Winters are long and quiet; social life shrinks. The expat community is tiny; you'll mostly meet retirees and adventure seekers. Cody suits remote workers who want outdoor access, low cost, and don't mind seasonal ghost-town vibes or brutal winters.
🏚️ Cost of Living
💰 Budgets and Costs
Grocery Basket
Eating Out
Utilities & Lifestyle
Housing
💰 Real Spend Reports
🛡️ Safety & Crime
(Higher is safer)
(Lower is safer)
Cody is genuinely safe for daily life. With a Safety Index of 85, this small Wyoming town offers the low-crime environment typical of rural America. Walking around during day and evening is comfortable; residents report minimal street crime or harassment. The town's tight-knit community and strong local policing create a secure atmosphere where expats can move about freely without the vigilance required in larger cities.
Crime here is minimal and mostly property-related rather than violent. Petty theft and vehicle break-ins occur occasionally, particularly in tourist areas near the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Violent crime is extremely rare. Solo female travelers and residents face virtually no gender-specific safety concerns. The main practical consideration is that Cody is remote—emergency services exist but response times can be longer than in urban areas, so self-sufficiency matters.
Cody presents no geopolitical risks or political instability. Law enforcement is reliable and professional. The primary consideration for relocating expats is not safety but rather isolation: this is a small town with limited amenities, healthcare, and cultural diversity. For Americans seeking a genuinely safe, quiet retirement or remote work base with authentic Western character, Cody delivers. It's an excellent choice if you value security and community over urban convenience.
🏥 Healthcare
🌤️ Climate
Best Months
Climate Notes
Cody experiences a semi-arid continental climate with warm, dry summers (June–August) and cold, snowy winters (December–February), offering dramatic seasonal contrasts and low precipitation year-round.
💻 Digital Nomad
Community Notes
| Name | Price/mo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coworking at the Cody Library | — | While not a dedicated coworking space, the Cody Library offers free Wi-Fi, quiet study areas, and meeting rooms that can be reserved. It's a budget-friendly option in a central location, ideal for digital nomads who need a basic workspace and access to resources. |
| Regus - Wyoming, Cody | $250 | Regus provides professional coworking spaces with various membership options, offering amenities like private offices, meeting rooms, and business support services. Located in a business-friendly area, it's a reliable choice for remote workers seeking a structured environment. |
🧳 Expat Life
Could living/working in Cody, WY cut years off your work life?
With a 1-bedroom in the center at $360/mo, your FIRE number here might be much lower than you think.