Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Provo?

Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Provo?

Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).

Detroit vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Detroit

Michigan

$990/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 $990 in Detroit, MI versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 37% higher in Provo, UT. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$801

$1,009

+26% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$752

$978

+30% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,001

$1,128

+13% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,381

+16% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$76,800

$437,100

+469% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$39,575

$62,800

+59% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,080

$48,010

+8% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

23.7 yr

+11.4 yr in Detroit, MI

Homeownership

49.7%

39.9%

+9.8 pp in Detroit, MI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.6%

45.0%

+27.4 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

25.4 min

18.5 min

+6.9 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,783.4

205.7

+88% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

4,391.6

1,280.6

+71% in Detroit, MI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.3°F

53.4°F

+3.1°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

31.3 in

19.8 in

+11.6 in in Detroit, MI

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)

23.0

13.4

+42% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.72

$11.84

+40% in Detroit, MI

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 Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Detroit, MI

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 (MI / UT)

6.1%

+0.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

4.50%

+0.3 pp in UT

Detroit vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Provo?: Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Provo?: Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).