Inflation hits 10.4%

The cost of living in Wyoming is increasing at a rate that hasn’t been seen in four decades, and Weston County occupies the corner of the state that led the way in the pace of inflation as 2021 drew to a close.
Northeast Wyoming experienced the largest inflation rate in the state at 10.4% in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, according to an April 18 release from the Wyoming State Economic Analysis Division. The northeast region consists of Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan and Weston counties. 
During the same period, the state as a whole experienced inflation at 9.3% and nationwide inflation was reported to be 7%. The last time statewide inflation was higher was the third quarter of 1981 at 11.8%. 
All five regions in the state experienced inflation with the southeast region (Albany, Carbon, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara and Platte counties) at 10.2%, southwest (Lincoln – Kemmerer, Lincoln – Afton, Sublette, Sweetwater and Uinta counties) at 9.2%, northwest (Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, Teton and Washakie counties) at 9.1% and central (Converse, Fremont and Natrona counties) at 7.4%. 
Statewide, transportation had the largest inflation rate during the period at 22.1%, food costs increased by 8.3%, inflation in housing costs was reported to be 7.4%, recreation and personal care cost 6.7% more, medical costs increased by 4.3% and apparel increased by 3.3%. 
According to the report, inflation measures year-over-year price changes in six consumer categories – transportation, housing, recreation and personal care, food, medical and apparel. 
 

 
 
The cost of living report contained some good news, as Weston County is below the statewide average in three of the six areas analyzed and still boasts an overall cost of living that is well below the state average. 
“The Comparative Cost of Living Index represents each county’s price level compared to the statewide average (100) during a single period, for this report, the fourth quarter of 2021,” the release says. 
For all items, Weston County sits at (88) compared with the statewide average (100). The county ranks below the statewide average in food (98), housing (75), and recreation and personal care (98). 
Sitting above the statewide average, Weston County residents pay more for apparel (107) and medical (110). For transportation costs, the county sits right at the state average. 
“These values reflect relative price levels in each county, at the time of data collection, compared with the statewide average of 100,” the release says. 
Despite seeing an increase in almost every cost category, Weston County did see a 4.2% drop in mobile home lot rental rates and a 3.1% decrease in house rental costs from the fourth quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2021. Mobile home lot rental rates were reported to be average $178 and house rentals were reported to average $650. 
Apartments rental rates increased 5.7% in the county. Rental rates for apartments are reported to average $608 in the fourth quarter of 2021. 
Northeast Wyoming saw an increase in all rental areas. Apartment rentals went up 3.2% to average $701, mobile home lots went up 7.5% to average $410, and house rentals increased 9.9% to average $1,191.
Statewide, rental categories all experienced increases. The largest increase was seen in house rentals at 8.7%,
at $1,241, while mobile home lot rentals and apartment rentals both saw an increase of 7%, costing $424 and $846, respectively.