Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Newark, NJ's $1,230, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Provo?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Newark vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Newark, NJ versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 23% higher in Provo, UT. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$1,009

+9% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

about equal

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,128

+19% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,381

+19% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$437,100

+29% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$62,800

+30% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$48,010

+22% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

23.7 yr

+11.1 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

24.1%

39.9%

+15.8 pp in Provo, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

45.0%

+27.6 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

33.2 min

18.5 min

+14.7 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

205.7

+65% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,961.8

1,280.6

+35% in Newark, NJ

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

54.9°F

53.4°F

+1.5°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

19.8 in

+26.5 in in Newark, NJ

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)

24.9

13.4

+46% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$11.84

+33% in Newark, NJ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / UT)

6.625%

6.1%

+0.5 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

4.50%

+6.3 pp in NJ

Newark vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Newark, NJ's $1,230, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Provo?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).