Cost of Living in Provo, Utah in 2026: BYU College Town, Silicon Slopes Tech & Surprisingly Affordable Utah Living

Cost of Living in Provo, UT: Brigham Young University, Vivint, Qualtrics & Tight-Knit LDS-Focused Family City

Provo is surprisingly affordable for a Utah city. Cost of living Provo is $2501 per month for singles and $5507 per month for families of four. Living costs are 1% higher than the U.S. national average and 90% lower than Utah’s state average. Utilities 20% lower than national average. Housing 4% higher. Groceries 4% lower. Transportation 4% higher. Healthcare 5% lower.

BYU is the largest employer with 15,000-22,000 positions. Utah Valley Hospital (Intermountain Health) has 3,000-4,000 employees. Vivint Smart Home employs 2,000-3,000. Provo is 20–30 minutes from Sundance Resort skiing, features immediate mountain trail access, and offers the youngest median age of any U.S. metro at 24.2 years—but comes with a distinctly LDS/Mormon cultural character. Non-LDS residents report social difficulties.

Average Monthly Cost in Provo

Here’s what typical monthly living looks like:

• • Single person: Around $2,200–$2,900
  • Couple: Typically $3,400–$4,300
  • Family of four: Approximately $5,000–$6,200

Housing costs 2.7% higher at $1232 per month for a single person and $2260 per month for a family of four. Food expenses 29% below average at $284 monthly for an individual and $923 for a family.

Watch this video to by a famous local vlogger to explore The TRUTH About Cost of Living in Provo Utah – 

Housing Costs in Provo

Rent is moderate; much cheaper than Salt Lake City:

• • Studio apartment: $1,244 per month
  • 1-bedroom apartment: $1,289 per month; range $900–$1,300
  • 2-bedroom apartment: $1,793 per month
  • 3-bedroom apartment: $2,620 per month

Home buying: Median home price $571,078; some sources cite $445K–$537K—$160–$270K cheaper than Salt Lake City.

Most affordable neighborhoods: Joaquin $995 1-BR, Maeser $1,045, Downtown Provo $1,299. Student housing near BYU: $450–$900 shared/1-BR.

Median household income $68,812. Strategy: Live near BYU/Joaquin if young/student; Downtown Provo if seeking walkability; Tree Streets if family-focused.

Utilities & Internet

Monthly costs breakdown:

• • Utilities (electricity, gas, water, trash): $147.77 per month (20% below national average)
  • Internet: $50–$75 for reliable speeds
  • Seasonal variations: Cold winters; heating adds $80–$120/month Nov–March, but overall utility costs are exceptionally low

Provo utility prices 20% lower than the national average.

Grocery & Food Costs

Expect to spend on groceries:

• • Groceries: Approximately $270–$420 per person monthly
  • Dining out: $12–$22 per meal; downtown Center Street $16–$26
  • Stores: Trader Joe’s, Costco, Walmart, Smith’s, Albertsons
  • Groceries 4% lower than the national average

Downtown food scene improved but still smaller than Salt Lake City.

Transportation Costs

Transportation depends on job location and lifestyle:

• • Car owners: Gas, insurance, parking average $180–$320 monthly
  • Public transit: Limited bus service; most residents drive
  • BYU/campus parking: If employed at BYU, on-campus parking often included
  • Provo Canyon/Sundance commute: 25–30 minutes to ski resorts
  • Silicon Slopes commute: Lehi (Adobe/Microsoft) 15–25 min north

Transportation costs 4% higher than the national average. Average commute time 15.98 minutes—less than national average.

Healthcare & Insurance

Health insurance and medical expenses:

• • Employer health insurance: Typically $140–$380 per month
  • BYU students: BYU Student Health Plan (lower cost); Student Health Center on-campus
  • Healthcare costs 5% less compared to U.S. average
  • Utah Valley Hospital flagship regional medical center

Other Living Expenses

Entertainment, gyms, phone plans, and personal care add $120–$280 monthly:

• • Entertainment/grooming 4% cheaper in Provo
  • Sundance Resort in Provo Canyon 25–30 minutes—skiing, hiking, dining. Bridal Veil Falls, Timpanogos hikes accessible. Utah Lake—freshwater fishing, boating, paddleboarding
  • Y Mountain Trail—iconic hike from BYU campus, steep but short
  • 100+ restaurants in Provo; 60+ in downtown area. Diverse dining: Hawaiian grill, Filipino, Japanese, hot pot
  • BYU museums free—Museum of People & Cultures, Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Museum of Paleontology

Monthly Expense Snapshot

Annual & Yearly Expenses

Beyond monthly costs, budget for these regular annual expenses:

Vehicle-Related:

• • Car insurance: $900–$1,300 yearly in Utah
  • Vehicle registration/renewal: $150–$280 yearly
  • Maintenance & inspections: Budget $500–$900 yearly
  • Winter tires (recommended): $250–$500 seasonal

Insurance & Protection:

• • Renters insurance: $100–$200 yearly if renting
  • Life insurance: $200–$600 yearly if applicable
  • Homeowners insurance: $800–$1,300 yearly if purchasing

Subscriptions & Memberships:

• • Streaming services: $150–$350 yearly
  • Gym membership: $400–$700 yearly (Sundance skiing alternative)
  • Ski pass (optional): $800–$1,500 yearly

Professional/Administrative:

• • Vehicle inspection: $35–$55 yearly
  • Healthcare checkups: $100–$250 if not covered
  • Tax preparation: $100–$300 if using professionals

Typical Yearly Non-Housing Expenses: $3,200–$5,800

Is Provo Expensive or Affordable?

Provo is affordable to moderately affordable. Living costs 1% higher than U.S. national average and 90% lower than Utah state average. 6% less expensive than the national average and 1% less expensive than Utah average (variance depends on source methodology).

Real talk: Provo is cheaper than Salt Lake City by 20–30%. Utilities are exceptionally cheap (20% below national). Housing is higher than national average but significantly lower than SLC. It’s affordable for students, families, and young professionals—but comes with strong LDS cultural dominance.

👤 Who Can Afford to Live Comfortably

• • BYU faculty/staff ($45K–$80K+)
  • BYU students (dorms, shared housing $450–$900/month)
  • Utah Valley Hospital/Intermountain Health employees ($50K–$90K)
  • Vivint, Qualtrics, Ancestry tech workers ($60K–$150K+)
  • Families seeking affordable housing (median income $68,812 livable)
  • Remote workers relocating from coasts ($80K–$150K+)
  • Young professionals starting careers ($40K–$60K manageable with roommates)

⚠️ Who May Find Provo Challenging

• • Non-LDS residents struggling with social integration (88–98% LDS population, friendships difficult without church participation)
  • Anyone seeking vibrant nightlife (BYU dry campus culture, no bars, limited entertainment)
  • Hourly workers earning <$35K (rent consumes 35–40% of income)
  • Those wanting cultural/religious diversity (limited Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic communities)
  • People seeking cosmopolitan lifestyle (smaller dining, cultural scene vs. Salt Lake City)
  • Non-family-oriented adults (city heavily focused on families, couples, students—not singles)
  • Those uncomfortable with conservative politics (89% Republican county, socially conservative policies)

Money-Saving Tips

• • Rent in Joaquin ($995 1-BR) or Maeser ($1,045)—cheapest neighborhoods
  • Shop Costco, Aldi, Trader Joe’s; groceries already 4% below average
  • Cook at home; dining out more expensive than groceries
  • Live near BYU if employed there—on-campus parking included, walkable
  • Use Sundance pass ($800–$1,500/season) if skiing regularly
  • Walk/hike Y Mountain, Rock Canyon, Bridal Veil—free recreation
  • Attend BYU cultural events, sports—free/cheap entertainment
  • Work at BYU or Utah Valley Hospital—benefits strong, on-campus discounts
  • Bundle renter’s/homeowner’s + car insurance for multi-policy discounts
  • Live 15–25 min north (Lehi area) if commuting to Silicon Slopes tech jobs
  • Use Google Fiber for fast, cheap internet ($50–$70/month)
  • Take advantage of free museums (BYU museums, cultural sites)

FAQs

How does Provo compare cost-wise to Salt Lake City?
Provo is 20–30% cheaper than Salt Lake City. Average rent in Provo notably lower than SLC. Home prices remain more accessible. Utilities, groceries, healthcare similar; housing is the major difference.

What’s the biggest cost advantage in Provo vs. national average?
Utilities—20% below national average. Energy bills average $147.77/month. Groceries also 4% cheaper. Housing is 4% above national, but utilities savings offset.

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Provo?
Single: $40,000–$50,000. Couple: $70,000–$95,000. Family of four: $100,000–$140,000. BYU employees and Vivint/tech workers earn well above benchmarks.

Is Provo affordable for college students?
Yes. BYU dorm costs included in tuition; off-campus shared housing $450–$900/month. Groceries cheap (4% below average). Transit limited but walkable near campus.

Can I live in Provo on retail/service wages?
Difficult. Service wages ($28–$35K) leave 35–40% income for rent alone. Better to live in smaller towns south of Provo and commute if working retail locally.

Are housing costs still rising in Provo?
Yes. Rent increased 4.06% year-over-year (2025–2026). BYU enrollment stability and tech corridor growth driving demand. Entry-level housing competitive.

Is Provo more affordable than other Utah cities?
Provo is more expensive than Ogden, St. George, West Valley City, but cheaper than Salt Lake City. Very affordable compared to national cities but high for rural/small Utah towns.

Explore more with The Urban Living Guide

Before moving to Provo, make sure you check:

• Living in Provo, Utah
• Pros and Cons of Living in Provo, Utah