Skyline of Provo
Cost of Living: 105 117,000

Provo, UT, US

Home of Brigham Young University with Silicon Slopes tech growth and mountain access.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Provo is a city in UT with a population of 117,000. Home of Brigham Young University with Silicon Slopes tech growth and mountain access. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The population skews young, with a median age of 23.7.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 105

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income $62,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.5%

Job market health

Provo vs US Average

Cost of Living
Provo: 105
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Provo: 115
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Provo: 4.95%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.0%
  • Sales Tax: 6.1%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $62,000
  • Unemployment: 2.5%
  • Population: 117,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 222/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 22°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $450,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1400/mo

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Cost of Living

Provo's cost of living index is 105 (US average = 100).

CategoryProvoNational AverageDifference
Overall105100+5.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$450,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1400/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft$300

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Provo:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$90Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$64Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$8Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$307Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Provo scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
105
Rent
$1400
Sunny Days
222
Tax
4.95%
Unemployment
2.5%
Climate
90°F / 22°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
117,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Provo has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January42°F22°F2.5"
April75°F37°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F40°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Provo faces the following natural hazards:

Drought Extreme Risk

Arid state with extreme drought conditions.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfire seasons.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms in mountains.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous region with landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Wasatch Range with frequent avalanches.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Wasatch Fault zone with earthquake risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in desert regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.95%
  • Sales Tax: 6.1%
  • Property Tax: ~0.58% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

Schools & Education

81/100
School Quality Score
Better than 64% of US cities
?
25
Total Schools
7.4:1
Student:Teacher
80.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Demographics

The population of Provo is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
2.2%
Black or African American
0.9%
Hispanic or Latino
18.9%
Native American
0.3%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
1.4%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
4.7%
White
71.1%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
45.0%
High school graduate
14.4%
Less than high school
7.5%
Some college
33.1%

Religion

Christian (LDS)
55.0%
Christian (Other)
10.0%
Other
7.0%
Unaffiliated
28.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Provo, UT, US?

The cost of living index in Provo is 105, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Provo?

The median home price in Provo is $450,000. The housing index is 115.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Provo is approximately $1400/mo.

Does Provo, UT have income tax?

Provo is in UT, which has an income tax rate of 4.95%.

What is the climate like in Provo?

Provo enjoys approximately 222 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 22°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.