Overview
Wyoming's typical home value is around $339,000, though prices swing widely — modest in Cheyenne and Casper, sky-high in resort markets like Jackson. Your statewide guide is the Wyoming Community Development Authority (WCDA), the agency that has run the state's affordable mortgage and down payment programs for decades. The big advantage of buying here is Wyoming's tax climate: no state income tax at all, and very low property taxes. The challenge is the cash to close, which WCDA tackles by pairing a competitive first mortgage with a choice of down payment assistance loans.
WCDA's flagship down payment help is HomeStretch: a second mortgage of up to $15,000 toward your down payment, closing costs, and prepaid items like property taxes and insurance. It's a deferred, 0% interest loan with no monthly payments — you repay it only when you sell, refinance, pay off the first mortgage, or reach the 30-year maturity. You'll need to contribute at least $1,500 of your own funds (a gift is allowed), be a first-time buyer, and pair it with a WCDA first mortgage like the First-Time Homebuyer or Spruce Up product. Because there's no interest and no monthly payment, HomeStretch is one of the friendlier down payment tools in the country.
State Programs
WCDA First-Time Homebuyer / Standard first mortgage
Fixed-rate first mortgageHomeStretch Down Payment Assistance
Deferred 0% second mortgage, no monthly payments (repaid at sale, refinance, payoff, or 30-year maturity)Amortizing Down Payment Assistance
Amortizing second mortgage with monthly payments, up to 10-year termSpruce Up (purchase + renovation loan)
Low-interest 30-year purchase-and-rehabilitation first mortgage (one loan, one payment)WCDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
Annual federal mortgage interest tax credit (for life of loan)Federal Programs Available in Wyoming
These nationwide programs can be combined with Wyoming state assistance for maximum benefit.
FHA Loan Program
Low down payment mortgageVA Home Loan
Zero down payment mortgageUSDA Rural Development Loan
Zero down payment mortgageTips for First-Time Buyers in Wyoming
If you'd rather pay the assistance down on a set schedule, WCDA also offers an Amortizing DPA — up to $15,000 as a 10-year second mortgage with monthly payments, used with its Advantage product. And if the home you love needs work, the Spruce Up program rolls the purchase and renovation into a single low-interest 30-year loan, letting you borrow against the home's projected after-repair value to cover roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or accessibility upgrades. All of these require the same $1,500 minimum contribution and meeting WCDA's income and purchase-price limits, which vary by county and household size.
Wyoming's tax landscape is a genuine selling point. There is no state income tax, so your paycheck isn't reduced at the state level — a meaningful advantage when you're stretching to afford a mortgage. Property taxes are low too, with an effective rate near 0.53% of home value. On a $339,000 home, that's roughly $1,800 a year. Wyoming also offers property tax relief programs, including a homeowner exemption and a tax-deferral option for qualifying owners, so check with your county assessor about what applies to your primary residence.
On top of WCDA's loans, the agency runs a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) that turns 20% to 40% of your annual mortgage interest into a federal tax credit (capped at $2,000 a year above the 20% rate) — a recurring saving you claim every tax season. If you serve at F.E. Warren Air Force Base just west of Cheyenne — the Air Force's oldest continuously active installation — a VA loan pairs cleanly with WCDA help. Required next steps: WCDA requires first-time buyers to complete a homebuyer education class through Wyoming Housing Network, so book that early, then connect with a HUD-approved housing counselor and a WCDA-participating lender to confirm your county limits and reserve assistance funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
For educational purposes only -- not financial or tax advice. Program details, eligibility requirements, and benefit amounts are subject to change. Verify all information directly with the administering agency before applying. Last verified: June 15, 2026.