Utah · WestAbove-Average CostUpdated May 2026

Cost of Living in Provo, UT

By Sarah Chen · Reviewed by James Okafor · Updated May 2026

Detailed cost data for 62 topics across 6 categories — from rent and groceries to business startup costs and professional salaries.

Quick Compare — How Provo stacks up
If you earnin, you'll need
$56,684
in Provo, UT to match the same purchasing power
That's $43,316 (-43%) vs. New York
Full side-by-side →
Cost Index
106
6% above national average
100 = national baseline
115K
Population
$64K
Median Income
$1,193/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$3,881/mo
Living Cost (Single)

Direct Answer

Provo, UT has a CostOfCity index of 106, which is 6% above the national baseline. Average modeled rent is $1,193/month and the single-adult living cost estimate is $3,881/month.

Cost index
106
Above-Average Cost; 100 is national baseline
Population
115K
Official population benchmark
Median income
$64K
Official household income benchmark
Priority pages
9
Rent, salary, budget, vehicle, retirement, and comparisons
✍️ Reviewed by James Okafor, Editor-in-Chief & Consumer Finance Editor📅 Last verified: May 2026
BLSCensusHUD

How to Use This City Page

Start with rent and monthly budget, then compare salary-needed before making a relocation decision.
Use the cost index as a directional signal; neighborhood rent and commute costs can change the answer materially.
Review cheaper alternatives and nearby city comparisons if Provo is above your target budget.
Use official/hybrid/model labels and the methodology page to understand where each estimate comes from.

Cost of Living in Provo: The Full Picture

What does it cost to live in Provo, UT? The honest answer depends on your lifestyle, but the data gives clear guideposts. With a recreation-influenced economy where outdoor tourism and seasonal work help shape the local labor market and a median household income of $47K, this western city offers a specific economic profile. We cover 62 cost categories, each calibrated for Provo's local conditions.

C+
Overall
C+
Housing
C+
Food
C+
Healthcare
C+
Transport
C+
Utilities

Provo Cost Index by Category

Each bar shows how the Provo cost index for that category compares to the US national baseline of 100.

Cost index vs national average — ProvoCost-of-living index for Provo versus the US national average (baseline 100). Provo overall sits at 106.Cost Index vs U.S. AvgNational baseline = 10050100150Provo OverallProvo Overall: index 106 (+6 vs national average)106 (+6)HousingHousing: index 112 (+12 vs national average)112 (+12)FoodFood: index 107 (+7 vs national average)107 (+7)HealthcareHealthcare: index 105 (+5 vs national average)105 (+5)TransportTransport: index 106 (+6 vs national average)106 (+6)UtilitiesUtilities: index 107 (+7 vs national average)107 (+7)ServicesServices: index 108 (+8 vs national average)108 (+8)
Each row shows the Provo cost index for that category vs the national baseline of 100. Bars to the right of the dashed line indicate above-average costs; bars to the left, below-average.
💼 Economy

Provo has a recreation-influenced economy where outdoor tourism and seasonal work help shape the local labor market

🏠 Housing

The housing market features a housing market that gives you more square footage per dollar than either coast

🌤️ Climate & Lifestyle

The dry climate is gentle on homes, but water scarcity adds hidden costs to landscaping, pool maintenance, and utility bills.. The lifestyle here is characterized by A laid-back lifestyle that masks some of the highest housing costs in the nation. The view is free — the rent is not..

💡 The Bottom Line

Financially, Provo is remarkably middle-of-the-road. A cost index of 106 means your dollar goes about as far as the national average — neither a bargain bin nor a premium market.

💰 Purchasing Power in Provo

$50K salary
≈ $47K
-$3K real value
$75K salary
≈ $71K
-$4K real value
$100K salary
≈ $94K
-$6K real value
$150K salary
≈ $142K
-$8K real value

Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Provo, your dollar buys 6% less than the national average.

🔺 Where Provo Costs More

📜 Estate Planning Lawyer$4K+33%
🚿 Bathroom Remodel$16K+32%
🛒 Grocery Costs$592+32%
☀️ Solar Panel Installation$33K+30%
❄️ HVAC Installation$9K+28%

🔽 Where Provo Costs Less

🏥 Health Insurance$459-23%
🛡️ Life Insurance$41-18%
🏠 Start an Airbnb$23K-17%
🏢 Rent Prices$1K-16%
🎨 House Painting$4K-11%

💰 Salary Landscape

🏘️ Real Estate Agent Salary$104,470/yr+35%
📚 Teacher Salary$72,840/yr+32%
🧮 Accountant Salary$93,933/yr+31%
👩‍⚕️ Registered Nurse Salary$92,828/yr+24%
🏥 Physical Therapist Salary$105,506/yr+24%
🔧 Plumber Salary$68,664/yr+14%
🔌 Electrician Salary$69,932/yr+12%
👮 Police Officer Salary$70,200/yr+11%
💻 Software Developer Salary$120,742/yr+10%
🦷 Dentist Salary$191,880/yr+7%

vs national average · higher = better

Monthly Living Expenses in Provo

What it actually costs to live in Provo each month — from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.

LifestyleSingle PersonCoupleFamily of 4
🟡Tight / Frugal$2,350/mo$4,050/mo$5,300/mo
🟢Comfortable$3,700/mo$6,150/mo$7,950/mo
🟣Generous$5,850/mo$9,550/mo$12,700/mo

Estimates include housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending. Based on Provo's cost index of 106 applied to national spending surveys.

🏘️ Neighborhood Cost Variation

Provo's cost landscape is shaped by geography. Proximity to the coast or mountains drive the sharpest price differences between neighborhoods. A 15-minute drive can mean a 20%+ swing in housing and service costs.

Provo vs U.S. Average Cost of Living

Category-by-category affordability grades — based on deviation from the national average.

Grades: A+/A = very affordable · B = average · C/D = expensive · For salaries, higher = better

🏠 Home Services in Provo

What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels

🏠

Roof Replacement

+17%
$6K – $14K
vs nat'l avg: $9K
❄️

HVAC Installation

+28%
$6K – $13K
vs nat'l avg: $7K
🔧

Plumbing Services

+18%
$207 – $532
vs nat'l avg: $313

Electrical Work

+18%
$236 – $590
vs nat'l avg: $350
🍳

Kitchen Remodel

+7%
$16K – $48K
vs nat'l avg: $30K
🚿

Bathroom Remodel

+32%
$8K – $24K
vs nat'l avg: $12K
🎨

House Painting

-11%
$2K – $7K
vs nat'l avg: $5K
🪵

Flooring Installation

+15%
$2K – $5K
vs nat'l avg: $3K
🌿

Landscaping

+27%
$2K – $6K
vs nat'l avg: $3K
🏗️

Fence Installation

+19%
$2K – $7K
vs nat'l avg: $4K
🪟

Window Replacement

+12%
$4K – $13K
vs nat'l avg: $8K
☀️

Solar Panel Installation

+30%
$20K – $46K
vs nat'l avg: $25K
🚿

Water Heater Replacement

+11%
$886 – $4K
vs nat'l avg: $2K
🏡

Deck Building

+27%
$6K – $25K
vs nat'l avg: $13K
🏊

Pool Installation

+10%
$27K – $88K
vs nat'l avg: $53K
🌳

Tree Removal

+6%
$424 – $2K
vs nat'l avg: $1K
🚪

Garage Door Repair

-5%
$143 – $572
vs nat'l avg: $375

💼 Business Startup Costs in Provo

Full startup cost breakdowns — from lease deposits to working capital

🍽️

Start a Restaurant

+21%
$212K – $908K
vs nat'l avg: $463K

Start a Coffee Shop

+20%
$96K – $360K
vs nat'l avg: $190K
🚚

Start a Food Truck

+13%
$57K – $227K
vs nat'l avg: $125K
💪

Start a Gym

-7%
$47K – $465K
vs nat'l avg: $275K
👶

Start a Daycare

-3%
$10K – $97K
vs nat'l avg: $55K
💇

Start a Hair Salon

+7%
$66K – $533K
vs nat'l avg: $281K
🧺

Start a Laundromat

+14%
$229K – $572K
vs nat'l avg: $350K
🍞

Start a Bakery

+15%
$12K – $230K
vs nat'l avg: $105K
🍺

Start a Bar

+10%
$121K – $936K
vs nat'l avg: $480K
🧹

Start a Cleaning Business

-7%
$2K – $28K
vs nat'l avg: $16K
🏠

Start an Airbnb

-17%
$4K – $41K
vs nat'l avg: $28K
🚛

Start a Trucking Business

-3%
$29K – $242K
vs nat'l avg: $140K

📊 Cost of Living in Provo

Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities

🛡️ Insurance in Provo

Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories

🚘

Car Insurance

+11%
$1K – $3K
vs nat'l avg: $2KDetails →
🏡

Home Insurance

+14%
$1K – $4K
vs nat'l avg: $2KDetails →
🏥

Health Insurance

-23%
$306 – $611
vs nat'l avg: $600Details →
💼

Business Insurance

-1%
$493 – $3K
vs nat'l avg: $2KDetails →
🛡️

Life Insurance

-18%
$16 – $65
vs nat'l avg: $50
🏠

Renters Insurance

-7%
$14 – $37
vs nat'l avg: $28
🐾

Pet Insurance

-7%
$18 – $83
vs nat'l avg: $55
🦷

Dental Insurance

+21%
$18 – $73
vs nat'l avg: $38
🏍️

Motorcycle Insurance

+21%
$241 – $1K
vs nat'l avg: $550

💰 Salaries & Jobs in Provo

Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization

💻

Software Developer Salary

+10%
$120,742/yr
vs nat'l avg: $110K/yrDetails →
👩‍⚕️

Registered Nurse Salary

+24%
$92,828/yr
vs nat'l avg: $75K/yrDetails →
📚

Teacher Salary

+32%
$72,840/yr
vs nat'l avg: $55K/yrDetails →
🔌

Electrician Salary

+12%
$69,932/yr
vs nat'l avg: $63K/yr
🔧

Plumber Salary

+14%
$68,664/yr
vs nat'l avg: $60K/yr
🧮

Accountant Salary

+31%
$93,933/yr
vs nat'l avg: $72K/yr
🏥

Physical Therapist Salary

+24%
$105,506/yr
vs nat'l avg: $85K/yr
👮

Police Officer Salary

+11%
$70,200/yr
vs nat'l avg: $64K/yr
🦷

Dentist Salary

+7%
$191,880/yr
vs nat'l avg: $180K/yr
🏘️

Real Estate Agent Salary

+35%
$104,470/yr
vs nat'l avg: $78K/yr

How Much Income Do You Need in Provo?

✅ Best For

  • Remote workers with out-of-market salaries
  • Outdoor enthusiasts
  • Mid-career professionals
  • Couples with dual incomes

⚠️ Not Ideal For

  • Single-income families with tight budgets
  • Those seeking rock-bottom costs
💬 Expert Tip

Research Provo's neighborhoods carefully — costs can vary by 20-40% within the metro area. The most popular areas are affordable enough that location flexibility is a real advantage.

How Does Provo Compare?

Pick a nearby city and see the full cost comparison across all 62 topics.

CostOfCity Value Index

F
Provo Value Score: 16/100
Expensive
Affordability Ratio
2.65x
Stretched
Savings Potential
15%
of median income
Value Score
3/100
income-adjusted
Growth Risk
76/100
Costs rising fast

The CostOfCity Value Index combines cost-of-living data with median income, savings potential, and cost growth trends to produce a single score. Higher = better value for your money. Updated quarterly.

📦

Free Relocation Blueprint

Your complete moving budget for Provo, UT

Monthly Budget
$2,551
Moving Costs
$3,000 – $6,000
Deposits Est.
$2,983
Cost Index
106
Median Income
$64K
Population
115K

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Frequently Asked Questions About Provo

How does Provo compare to other cities in UT?

Within Utah, Provo has a cost index of 106. Nearby options include Park City and Salt Lake City, which offer useful comparison points.

Is Provo, UT expensive to live in?

Provo's cost of living index is 106, which is 6% above the national average of 100. Provo is moderately above average — noticeable but not extreme.

What is the median household income in Provo?

The median household income in Provo is approximately $47,000 per year. Adjusted for local cost of living (index: 106), this provides purchasing power roughly in line with the national average.

Explore Provo in Depth

🏠 Living Alone
Solo budget breakdown for Provo
💰 Salary Needed
Minimum salary to live in Provo
📊 Can I Afford It?
Budget check for Provo
📋 Monthly Budget
Full monthly breakdown
🗺️ Utah Overview
Compare all cities in Utah

Nearby Cities to Compare

💡 Affordable Alternative: Pocatello (187 miles away) is 19% cheaper than Provo. Same region, significantly lower costs. Compare them →

Compare Provo Costs Nationally

See how Provo ranks on major household and life expenses against 300+ US cities — cheapest to most expensive.

View all 18 cost categories →

Popular Provo cost & affordability searches