Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Rochester?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $34,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Provo or Rochester?

Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Provo vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,120 in Provo, UT versus $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, NY, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $62,800 in Provo, UT and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 26% higher in Provo, UT. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Provo, UT

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

$1,009

$750

+26% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$978

$857

+12% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,128

$1,114

+1% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,381

$1,240

+10% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$437,100

$120,600

+72% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$62,800

$46,628

+26% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,010

$51,210

+7% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

23.7 yr

33.5 yr

+9.8 yr in Rochester, NY

Homeownership

39.9%

37.2%

+2.7 pp in Provo, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

45.0%

29.9%

+15.1 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

18.5 min

18.9 min

+0.4 min in Rochester, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

205.7

690

+235% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

1,280.6

3,533.4

+176% in Rochester, NY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

53.4°F

48.2°F

+5.2°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

19.8 in

34.3 in

+14.5 in in Rochester, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$4.13/gal

+3% in Provo, UT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

29.5

+121% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.84

$27.01

+128% in Rochester, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Rochester, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (UT / NY)

6.1%

+2.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

10.90%

+6.4 pp in NY

Provo vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Rochester?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Provo than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $34,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Provo or Rochester?: Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).