Living Cost Compare
Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

vs
South Burlington

Vermont

$1,790/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 $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,800 in Provo, UT and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 35% higher in South Burlington, VT. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Provo, UT
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$1,009
$1,557
+54% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$978
$1,533
+57% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,128
$1,805
+60% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,381
$2,356
+71% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$437,100
$399,600
+9% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income
$62,800
$97,229
+55% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,010
$60,020
+25% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
23.7 yr
38.8 yr
+15.1 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
39.9%
60.1%
+20.2 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
45.0%
65.1%
+20.1 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
18.5 min
18.9 min
+0.4 min in South Burlington, VT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
205.7
239.4
+16% in South Burlington, VT
Property Crime
1,280.6
4,446
+247% in South Burlington, VT

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
46.0°F
+7.4°F in Provo, UT
Annual Precipitation
19.8 in
36.8 in
+17.1 in in South Burlington, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.27/gal
$3.94/gal
+8% in Provo, UT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
13.4
24.4
+83% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.84
$26.07
+120% in South Burlington, VT

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
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.90
+6% in Provo, UT
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.19
+9% in South Burlington, VT
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 / VT)
6.1%
6%
+0.1 pp in UT
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
8.75%
+4.3 pp in VT

Provo vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Provo or South Burlington?
Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Provo than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Provo or South Burlington?
Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); South Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).