CostIndexUSA

Casper, WY vs Irvine, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWY
Casper
93.8
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Casper is significantly cheaper than Irvine — 21.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Casper, you would need $96,900 in Irvine. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+129.6%
Casper
74.2
Irvine
170.4
🛒 Groceries+11.7%
Casper
95.4
Irvine
106.6
🚗 Transportation+4.0%
Casper
105.4
Irvine
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+3.9%
Casper
95.4
Irvine
99.1
Utilities+101.0%
Casper
78.9
Irvine
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Casper to see what you'd need to earn in Irvine to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Irvine, CA
$96,900
$16,900 more needed in Irvine

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 93.8) = salary × 1.2111. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Casper, WY

Median Home Price
$302,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
74.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.5×

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Irvine has 129.6% higher housing costs compared to Casper.

Income & Job Market

Casper, WY

Median Household Income
$73,200
Per Capita Income
$41,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,324
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturing

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Casper, WY
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.