Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Provo or Spokane?

Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Provo vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,800 in Provo, UT and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 4% higher in Spokane, WA. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Provo, UT

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,009

$884

+12% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$978

$903

+8% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,128

$1,192

+6% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,381

$1,442

+4% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$437,100

$326,200

+25% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$62,800

$65,745

+5% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,010

$54,660

+14% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

23.7 yr

37.2 yr

+13.5 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

39.9%

58.3%

+18.4 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

45.0%

32.6%

+12.4 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

18.5 min

21.2 min

+2.7 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

205.7

683.6

+232% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

1,280.6

4,931.8

+285% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+4.5°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

19.8 in

17.8 in

+2.0 in in Provo, UT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$5.26/gal

+23% in Spokane, WA

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

14.9

+12% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.84

$21.34

+80% in Spokane, WA

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 / WA)

6.1%

6.5%

+0.4 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

None

+4.5 pp in UT

Provo vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Provo than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Provo or Spokane?: Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).