Not only is Wyoming one of the eight states that charge no income tax, but its capital city (pop. 53,000) levies among the lowest property taxes in the nation.
If you own a $150,000 house in Cheyenne, you pay just $970 a year, less than half the national average. Sales taxes are a low 6%, and officials probably won't have to raise them anytime soon: With the prices of coal and oil rising, the state's mining-heavy economy has remained relatively robust.
"Cheyenne is a very livable city," says Bert Sperling, co-author of "Best Cities Ranked and Rated," who regularly places it in the top third nationwide. Sure, there are no world-class art museums or subways - but how many rodeos are there in New York City?
- Stephen Gandel, Money Magazine senior writer
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