Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Provo?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 16% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,009

+15% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$978

+22% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,128

+20% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,381

+11% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$437,100

+39% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$62,800

+16% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$48,010

+12% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

23.7 yr

+12.0 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

39.9%

+5.6 pp in Chicago, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

45.0%

+1.7 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

33.5 min

18.5 min

+15.0 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

205.7

+62% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,280.6

+63% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

53.4°F

+0.7°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

19.8 in

+18.2 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$4.27/gal

+1% in Provo, UT

Area: Chicago vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — CTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

13.4

+33% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$11.84

+40% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / UT)

6.25%

6.1%

+0.2 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.50%

+0.5 pp in IL

Chicago vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Provo?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).