Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Provo?

Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Provo?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Provo?

Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Bowling Green vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Bowling Green, KY is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 23% higher in Provo, UT. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Bowling Green, KY

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$878

$1,009

+15% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$833

$978

+17% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$960

$1,128

+18% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,381

+14% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$232,100

$437,100

+88% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$48,419

$62,800

+30% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,040

$48,010

+7% in Provo, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

27.9 yr

23.7 yr

+4.2 yr in Bowling Green, KY

Homeownership

37.3%

39.9%

+2.6 pp in Provo, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.0%

45.0%

+13.0 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

18.8 min

18.5 min

+0.3 min in Bowling Green, KY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

231

205.7

+11% in Bowling Green, KY

Property Crime

2,984.4

1,280.6

+57% in Bowling Green, KY

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.0°F

53.4°F

+4.6°F in Bowling Green, KY

Annual Precipitation

49.9 in

19.8 in

+30.1 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Provo, UT

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

13.4

+6% in Bowling Green, KY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.20

$11.84

+64% in Bowling Green, KY

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Bowling Green, KY

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Provo, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KY / UT)

6.1%

+0.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

3.50%

4.50%

+1.0 pp in UT

Bowling Green vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Provo?: Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Provo?: Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).