Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Santa Fe?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.

Which has lower taxes, Provo or Santa Fe?

Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Provo vs Santa Fe Cost of Living 2026

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Santa Fe

New Mexico

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Santa Fe, NM. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Santa Fe, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,800 in Provo, UT and $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM — about 10% higher in Santa Fe, NM. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Provo, UT

Santa Fe, NM

Rent

Studio

$1,009

$969

+4% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$978

$1,167

+19% in Santa Fe, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,128

$1,559

+38% in Santa Fe, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,381

$1,733

+25% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$437,100

$411,500

+6% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$62,800

$70,110

+12% in Santa Fe, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,010

$48,710

+1% in Santa Fe, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

23.7 yr

46.4 yr

+22.7 yr in Santa Fe, NM

Homeownership

39.9%

62.8%

+22.9 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

45.0%

45.4%

+0.4 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Avg Commute

18.5 min

20.2 min

+1.7 min in Santa Fe, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

205.7

843.3

+310% in Santa Fe, NM

Property Crime

1,280.6

5,189

+305% in Santa Fe, NM

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

51.9°F

+1.5°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

19.8 in

13.5 in

+6.3 in in Provo, UT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Provo, UT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

15.1

+13% in Santa Fe, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.84

$9.31

+21% in Provo, UT

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 (UT / NM)

6.1%

4.875%

+1.2 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

5.90%

+1.4 pp in NM

Provo vs Santa Fe — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Santa Fe?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Provo than in Santa Fe?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.
Which has lower taxes, Provo or Santa Fe?: Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).