Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Worcester?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Provo or Worcester?

Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Provo vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $62,800 in Provo, UT and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 7% higher in Worcester, MA. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Provo, UT

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,009

$1,087

+8% in Worcester, MA

1 Bedroom

$978

$1,028

+5% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,128

$1,476

+31% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,381

$1,675

+21% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$437,100

$339,500

+22% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$62,800

$67,544

+8% in Worcester, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,010

$57,830

+20% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

23.7 yr

34.1 yr

+10.4 yr in Worcester, MA

Homeownership

39.9%

42.4%

+2.5 pp in Worcester, MA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

45.0%

34.1%

+10.9 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

18.5 min

25.1 min

+6.6 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

205.7

640.2

+211% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

1,280.6

1,580.3

+23% in Worcester, MA

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

47.9°F

+5.5°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

19.8 in

48.1 in

+28.3 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$4.07/gal

+5% in Provo, UT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

29.6

+121% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.84

$30.66

+159% in Worcester, MA

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 Worcester, MA

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 / MA)

6.1%

6.25%

+0.2 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

9.00%

+4.5 pp in MA

Provo vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Worcester?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Provo than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Provo or Worcester?: Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).