Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Phoenix, AZ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Phoenix versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Phoenix or Provo?

Phoenix is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Phoenix vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Phoenix

Arizona

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Phoenix, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 18% higher in Phoenix, AZ. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Phoenix, AZ

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,127

$1,009

+10% in Phoenix, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,253

$978

+22% in Phoenix, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,493

$1,128

+24% in Phoenix, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,771

$1,381

+22% in Phoenix, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$381,900

$437,100

+14% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$77,041

$62,800

+18% in Phoenix, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

$48,010

+7% in Phoenix, AZ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

23.7 yr

+11.1 yr in Phoenix, AZ

Homeownership

57.1%

39.9%

+17.2 pp in Phoenix, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.3%

45.0%

+12.7 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

25.7 min

18.5 min

+7.2 min in Phoenix, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

799.6

205.7

+74% in Phoenix, AZ

Property Crime

2,338.9

1,280.6

+45% in Phoenix, AZ

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

75.1°F

53.4°F

+21.7°F in Phoenix, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.2 in

19.8 in

+11.6 in in Provo, UT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Phoenix, AZ

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.2

13.4

+12% in Phoenix, AZ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.74

$11.84

+52% in Phoenix, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AZ / UT)

5.6%

6.1%

+0.5 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.50%

+2.0 pp in UT

Phoenix vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Phoenix, AZ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Phoenix than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Phoenix versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Phoenix or Provo?: Phoenix is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).