Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Dover or Provo?

Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Dover vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dover, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 7% higher in Provo, UT. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Dover, DE

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$993

$1,009

+2% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$1,047

$978

+7% in Dover, DE

2 Bedroom

$1,185

$1,128

+5% in Dover, DE

3 Bedroom

$1,634

$1,381

+15% in Dover, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,500

$437,100

+76% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$58,336

$62,800

+8% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

$48,010

+3% in Provo, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

23.7 yr

+11.4 yr in Dover, DE

Homeownership

47.0%

39.9%

+7.1 pp in Dover, DE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

45.0%

+17.9 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

24.0 min

18.5 min

+5.5 min in Dover, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,025.3

205.7

+80% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

6,159.1

1,280.6

+79% in Dover, DE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.9°F

53.4°F

+3.5°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

19.8 in

+26.3 in in Dover, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Provo, UT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.3

13.4

+31% in Dover, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$11.84

+60% in Dover, DE

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 Dover, DE

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 (DE / UT)

None

6.1%

+6.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

4.50%

+2.1 pp in DE

Dover vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or Provo?: Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).