Provo, UT Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Provo, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Provo →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Roughly 114,400 people call Provo, Utah home. Household income runs $57,943 at the median, below what we see across the broader set of cities (-20%).
Housing costs are a defining factor for anyone relocating to Provo. The median home value sits at $391,500 (above the multi-city median at +20%), while renters pay a median of $1,089 per month. Buyers should weigh current mortgage rates and local property taxes against these figures before committing.
Home values running about 6.8× median income put Provo on the stretched end of the affordability spectrum among cities we cover. Home values near Provo rose 2.81% in the past year, a pace most would call steady rather than hot. Provo carries a Relatively High hazard rating from FEMA — elevated risk that's typically reflected in higher insurance premiums.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,089/mo in Provo would take 22.6% of your income.
$360/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($391,500) would take 43.3% of your income toward principal & interest.
$738/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Provo
Median home value is $391,500 and median gross rent is $1,089/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Utah rose 2.81% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,460/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Provo's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Provo reported a violent crime rate of 177.4 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Provo
Planning a move to Provo? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Provo, UT?
- For a quick read on Provo: homes carry a median value of $391,500, rent runs a median $1,089 monthly, and household income is a median $57,943, all from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Provo?
- Provo's median rent of $1,089/month works out to roughly $43,560 in annual income needed, if you're budgeting the standard 30% of gross pay toward rent. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Provo.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Provo?
- Renting in Provo at the median $1,089/month calls for about $43,560 a year under the standard 30% guideline; buying the median home at $391,500 takes roughly $89,573 a year in principal and interest (20% down, 30-year fixed, current rates). Timeline and down payment usually decide which makes more sense.
- Is Provo safe?
- Per FBI Crime Data Explorer figures, Provo's violent crime rate was 177.4 per 100,000 residents in 2025.
See the full salary breakdown for Provo →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Provo's.