Quick answer
Provo costs $910/month less overall ($1,485 vs $2,395/mo). Provo also has lower state income tax (4.85% vs 4.95%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Chicago vs Provo
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Chicago vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Chicago | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,850 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,350 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $340K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $155 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $390 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,395 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 78/100 ✓ | 68/100 |
| Transit Score | 65/100 ✓ | 42/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 4.85% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Provo's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,850 in Chicago — a $750/month difference, or $9,000/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Provo charges 4.85% state income tax vs 4.95% in Chicago. On an $80K salary that's a $80/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $5,820 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Chicago are $340K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $36,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Chicago utilities run $60 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Chicago, IL
Chicago's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Provo, UT
Provo's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Chicago
Four true seasons; brutal winters (wind chills below -20°F common); outstanding summers
Provo
Four seasons with cold, snowy winters (average 60 inches annual snowfall) and warm, dry summers (85°F average). Spring and fall are mild.
Job Market
Chicago top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Chicago if…
- →You're a urban explorers
- →You're a foodies
- →You're a architecture lovers
- →You're a transit users
- →You're a theater fans
- →You want to live without a car
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Provo if…
- →You're a Software engineers and tech workers
- →You're a LDS families
- →You're a Young professionals seeking career growth
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts (skiing, hiking)
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $2,395 in Chicago — a $910/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Chicago or Provo?
Chicago is more walkable with a Walk Score of 78/100 vs 68/100. Provo is more car-dependent.
Chicago vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Provo has lower state income tax (4.85%). On an $80K salary, that saves $80/year vs Chicago (4.95%).
Is Chicago or Provo better for buying a home?
Chicago has lower median home prices at $340K vs $520K in Provo — a $180,000 difference on the median home.