Quick answer
Provo costs $525/month less overall ($1,485 vs $2,010/mo). But Colorado Springs's 4.4% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $360/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Colorado Springs 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
Colorado Springs vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $465K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 24/100 | 42/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% ✓ | 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 $1,450 in Colorado Springs — a $350/month difference, or $4,200/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Colorado Springs charges 4.4% state income tax vs 4.85% in Provo. On an $80K salary that's a $360/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,820 vs $5,280 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Colorado Springs are $465K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $11,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Colorado Springs utilities run $70 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Colorado Springs, CO
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Colorado Springs. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Provo, UT
Provo's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Colorado Springs
High altitude (6,000 ft) creates cooler summers (75-85°F) and cold, snowy winters (10-25 inches annual snowfall); 300+ sunny days per year; dry desert-like conditions most of year; wildfire risk in surrounding forests; thin air at altitude requires acclimatization
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
Colorado Springs top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Colorado Springs if…
- →You're a Military families
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts / climbers
- →You're a Aerospace professionals
- →You're a People seeking altitude and outdoor access
- →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 Colorado Springs or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $2,010 in Colorado Springs — a $525/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Colorado Springs or Provo?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 36/100. Colorado Springs is more car-dependent.
Colorado Springs vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Colorado Springs has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $360/year vs Provo (4.85%).
Is Colorado Springs or Provo better for buying a home?
Colorado Springs has lower median home prices at $465K vs $520K in Provo — a $55,000 difference on the median home.