Is it cheaper to live in Montgomery or Provo?

Montgomery, AL 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 Montgomery than in Provo?

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

Which has lower taxes, Montgomery or Provo?

Montgomery is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Montgomery vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Montgomery

Alabama

$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 Montgomery, AL versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Montgomery, AL is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,687 in Montgomery, AL and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 11% higher in Provo, UT. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Montgomery, AL

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$864

$1,009

+17% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$831

$978

+18% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$982

$1,128

+15% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,172

$1,381

+18% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$148,500

$437,100

+194% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$55,687

$62,800

+13% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$44,950

$48,010

+7% in Provo, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.2 yr

23.7 yr

+12.5 yr in Montgomery, AL

Homeownership

54.3%

39.9%

+14.4 pp in Montgomery, AL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.5%

45.0%

+11.5 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

20.5 min

18.5 min

+2.0 min in Montgomery, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

605.5

205.7

+66% in Montgomery, AL

Property Crime

2,258.3

1,280.6

+43% in Montgomery, AL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.1°F

53.4°F

+11.7°F in Montgomery, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.1 in

19.8 in

+33.3 in in Montgomery, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Provo, UT

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

13.4

+18% in Montgomery, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.06

$11.84

+51% in Montgomery, AL

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 Montgomery, AL

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 (AL / UT)

6.1%

+2.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

4.50%

+0.5 pp in AL

Montgomery vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Montgomery or Provo?: Montgomery, AL 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 Montgomery than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Montgomery versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Montgomery or Provo?: Montgomery is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).