Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Provo?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Provo?

Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Memphis vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,211 in Memphis, TN and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 18% higher in Provo, UT. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Memphis, TN

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$877

$1,009

+15% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$948

$978

+3% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,128

+5% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,281

$1,381

+8% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$157,100

$437,100

+178% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$51,211

$62,800

+23% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,890

$48,010

+2% in Provo, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

23.7 yr

+10.6 yr in Memphis, TN

Homeownership

46.0%

39.9%

+6.1 pp in Memphis, TN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.2%

45.0%

+16.8 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

21.3 min

18.5 min

+2.8 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

2,507.6

205.7

+92% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

6,966.3

1,280.6

+82% in Memphis, TN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

63.1°F

53.4°F

+9.7°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

19.8 in

+33.9 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Provo, UT

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

13.4

+5% in Memphis, TN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.75

$11.84

+40% in Memphis, TN

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 Memphis, TN

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 (TN / UT)

6.1%

+0.9 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.50%

+4.5 pp in UT

Memphis vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Provo?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Memphis than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Provo?: Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax and a 7% 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).