Cost Of Living In Provo, Utah (Taxes, Housing & More)

Mary Newman
by Mary Newman

Utah is an underrated and beautiful state, and the city of Provo is no different. Just an hour outside of Salt Lake City, next to Orem, sits Provo, home to Brigham Young College and about 115,000 residents. Provo is heavily influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with an estimated 82% of the population identifying as such.

With a cost of living index at 105.7, Provo comes in just above the national average. But don’t let this number fool you – be sure you look at all the statistics because housing costs might be higher than that index would lead you to believe. Provo can be relatively affordable… but it’s going to depend a lot on you, and your family.

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Housing Costs in Provo, Utah

Median Home Values in Provo, Compared

LocationMedian Home ValueHomeownership Rate
Provo$320,86935.7%
Salt Lake City$359,33347%
Utah$336,88068.8%
United States$320,00065.8%1

With a housing cost of living index of 132.7, Provo is noticeably more expensive than the average US city to purchase a home in. You can clearly see this above, with a higher-than-normal median home value and a significantly lower-than-average homeownership rate. The entire state of Utah, however, has a surprisingly high median home value.

Median Home Prices in Provo, Utah

Home ValuesPercentage of Homes
$1.033 Million and Above3.5%
$689,000-$1.032 Million4.5%
$551,000-$688,9995%
$413,000-$550,99914.9%
$276,000-$412,99936.1%
$138,000-$275,99931.1%
Sub $137,9994.9%

Unsurprisingly, the data reflects what we know – the average home prices are pretty high in Provo. Appreciation in Provo has also grown year over year, meaning housing continues to get more expensive in the area.

41.5% of the homes in Provo are single-family homes, with 10.7% being townhomes, 14.8% being smaller apartment buildings, and 31.4% being larger apartment complexes. 15.4% of homes were built after 1999. More than half, or 53.4%, were built between 1970 and 1999, and 23.4% were built between 1940 and 1969.

The bulk of the homes, 28.5%, have just 2 bedrooms. 26.4% have 3 bedrooms, 17% have 4 bedrooms, and 10.9% have 1 bedroom. A surprisingly 13.6% of homes have 5 or more bedrooms.

Rental Costs in Provo, Utah

Housing SizeProvoProvo MetroUtahUnited States
Studio$640$654$639$821
1 Bedroom$737$751$766$930
2 Bedroom$847$862$941$1148
3 Bedroom$1223$1246$1332$1537
4 Bedroom$1487$1514$1563$1791

Provo is one of the few places where it is cheaper to live within the city itself, versus the metro area – at least, when it comes to renting. Why? Because the Provo metro area includes Orem, with nearly 100,000 residents. Orem is considered a suburb of Salt Lake City and has a slightly higher cost of living than Provo.

Taxes in Provo, Utah

Taxpayers in Provo enjoy a statewide flat income tax rate, a sales tax rate that is on par with the U.S. average, and some of the lowest property taxes in the country.

Sales Taxes in Provo, Utah

The state of Utah has a blanket sales tax of at least 4.85%. Though, local governments and counties can impose their own sales tax on top of that. In Provo, the county rate (Utah County) is 2.30% which brings the total sales tax to 7.25%. This is just over the national average of 7.12% and is a combination of the base rate and the Utah County sales tax rate.

Property Taxes in Provo, Utah

In Utah County (where Provo is located), the average effective property tax is just 0.540%. This is significantly lower than the national average, which sits at 1.070%. It is also just under Utah’s average property tax rate, which is 0.580%.

For a home purchased at the median value of $320,896, the average Utah County resident would pay $1,733 annually in property taxes. This is noticeably lower than what you would pay at the national average rate, which is $3,434 a year.

Income Taxes in Provo, Utah

In Utah, regardless of income, all residents must give 4.95% of their taxable income to the state. Utah is one of only a handful of states in the U.S. with no progressive income tax, just instead opting for a flat rate that applies to all income earners. Utah does generally sit on the bottom of income tax rates, though – which means you keep more of your money.

Additional Taxes

Aside from sales, income, and property taxes, there are some additional taxes that Provo residents are subject to. The state’s cigarette tax is $1.70 per pack of 20 and both diesel and regular gasoline are taxed at a rate of 31.10 cents per gallon.

Utah also has some of the highest alcohol taxes in the country. Taxes on beer are 41 cents a gallon, or roughly 4 cents per beer. Whereas, taxes on liquor are $15.92 per gallon – the fifth highest in the nation.

Provo, Utah Tax Breakdown

Provo, Utah TaxesAverage Cost & Rate
Average Effective Property Tax Rate0.54%
Sales Tax7.25%
State Income Tax Rate4.95% flat rate
Gas Tax31.10 cents per gallon
Liquor Tax$15.92 per gallon
Beer Tax41 cents per gallon
Cigarette Tax$1.70 per pack of 20

Utility Costs in Provo, Utah

The utility cost of living in Provo is below the national average, sitting at just 94.6. For the average 915 square foot apartment, a resident can expect to pay about $145/month for essential utilities. This includes water, heating, cooling, garbage, and electricity. The average high-speed internet connection is just $61/month for Provo residents.

The average cost of residential electricity in Provo is just 9.7¢/kWh, which is less than the state’s average of 9.93¢/kWh. This is also significantly less than the national average, which is 11.88¢/kWh.

Food & Grocery Costs in Provo, Utah

Item of Food in ProvoCost
Average Meal for 1$8
Mid-Range Meal for 2$40-$50
Gallon of Milk$2.50-$3
Loaf of Fresh Bread$2.25-$2.50
12 Eggs$1.50-$1.75
1lb Chicken$2.50
1lb of Bananas$0.50-$0.75

With a grocery cost of living index at just 94.1, it is cheaper to eat in Provo than the average US city. You can see that easily from the numbers above. Restaurant prices are also exceptionally reasonable, with a high concentration of good restaurants within a reasonable driving distance.

If the average household spends the recommended 11% of the median income on groceries, that means Provo residents have approximately $5,118 annually to spend. The median household income in Provo is $46,532. Per month, that works out to $426. Completely do-able for the average family, especially when grocery prices in Provo are accounted for.

Transportation Costs in Provo, Utah

The average worker in Provo spends 17.8 minutes commuting one-way to work. This is lower than the national average, which sits at 26.4 minutes one-way. Just 62.7% of people choose to drive their own vehicles to work, with 12.8% carpooling with coworkers, and 4.8% working from home. 2.9% of residents choose to take mass transit options.

The transportation cost of living index in Provo is just 85.4, which is lower than the national average. Transportation costs are another important factor that you must consider in order to determine the overall cost of living in a particular location. These include expenses such as gas prices, public transportation costs, and annual car insurance premiums.

The Cost of a Gallon of Gas, Compared

LocationPrice
Provo$2.65
Salt Lake City$2.66
United States$2.60

Public Transportation in Provo, Utah

Great news – Provo has fantastic public transit! If you don’t drive, or prefer to save the gas and environment, Provo is a great place for you. The UVX bus rapid transit line runs through Orem and Provo, and is completely free to use, with no catch at all.

The Utah Transit Authority also runs local buses with more extensive lines, as well as a commuter rail line, which runs every half an hour. Tickets are just $2.50 one way for adults, $1.25 for seniors, or students. For a day pass, it is $5 across the board, and a monthly pass costs just $85, or $42.50 for students and seniors.

A premium pass is also available, which includes nearly all of the bus and rail lines. That is $170/month for adults or $85/month for seniors or students and youth.

Annual Car Insurance Premiums in Provo, Utah

The average annual cost of car insurance in Provo is $1,370 for full coverage, which is only slightly higher than the statewide average of $1,186 but less expensive than the national average of $1,674 per year. Though, your rate can vary based on your age, driving record, the insurance company that you choose, and whether you opt for full or minimum coverage.

To help illustrate how car insurance premiums vary based on where you live in Utah, the following table outlines average car insurance rates in five Utah cities:

CityAverage Annual Premium for Full CoveragePercent Difference from Statewide Average
Salt Lake City$1,44210%
Provo$1,3705%
Bountiful$1,296-1%
Roy$1,3030%
Logan$1,207-8%

Schools in Provo, Utah

There are 24 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, and 14 high schools in Provo. 24 schools are within the public district, with 3 public charter schools and 32 total private schools. The Provo public school district serves about 19,000 students each school year.

Provo schools regularly rank within the bottom half of public schools in the state. The average math proficiency score is 47%, on par with the state average, and the average reading proficiency score is 48%, just higher than the state’s average of 45%.

The student: teacher ratio in Provo is a shocking 42:1, which is significantly higher than the state’s average of 34:1. For reference, the national average is 16:1.

Entertainment & Recreation Costs in Provo, Utah

Utah is a state many people don’t think about when you consider nature, but it is actually quite beautiful. Within a reasonable driving distance from Provo, you can hike Bald Knoll, Strawberry Peak, Mt Timpanogos, or Spanish Fork Peak.

If you’re not as into nature, Provo is also home to Brigham Young University, a major college in the area. The school runs the BYU Museum of Art, as well as the Museum of Paleontology, both of which are free to visit. The Crandall Historical Printing Museum also a working replica of the Gutenberg Press as well, and will cost just $10 per adult, or $5 per child.

Clothing Costs in Provo, Utah

Item of ClothingCost
1 Pair of Name-Brand Jeans$38
1 Summer Dress (From a Chain Retail Store)$45
1 Pair of Name-Brand Shoes$81
1 Pair of Dress Shoes$120

Clothing and household prices in Provo are about average when compared to the rest of the United States. With Orem and Salt Lake City so very close, there is no shortage of shopping opportunities, especially if you don’t mind driving a bit! You can find some amazing deals if you look hard enough.

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Should I Live in Provo, Utah?

There are a lot of reasons to call Provo your new home. If you’re looking to move for school, work, or want to be closer to the base of your religious organization, Provo could be a really wonderful new home for you. Be sure to factor in all the costs, though – housing isn’t exactly cheap, and for those with a growing family, the public school system can leave something to be desired.

The good news, though, is the rate of crime in Provo is nearly half the state’s average. With just a 1 in 857 chance of being a victim of a violent crime, Provo is generally a safe city with lots to offer.

Only you can decide if Provo is right for you, but hopefully, you feel a little more prepared now to make the right choice. The cost of living in Provo isn’t outlandish, but it is very important to know the facts before taking that next step.

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Mary Newman
Mary Newman

Mary Newman thought that home improvement was all painting and putting down throw rugs... until she bought a fixer upper, and realized it's so much more. With a passion for helping others NOT make the mistakes she did, Mary seeks to always improve her home - and yours, too!

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