Quick answer
Provo costs $205/month less overall ($1,485 vs $1,690/mo). But Des Moines's 4.82% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $40/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines 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
Des Moines vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,400 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 42/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% ✓ | 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 $1,150 in Des Moines — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Des Moines charges 4.82% state income tax vs 4.85% in Provo. On an $80K salary that's a $40/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,820 vs $5,760 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $55,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $75 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Provo, UT
Provo's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
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
Des Moines top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Des Moines if…
- →You're a Insurance and financial services professionals
- →You're a Families seeking excellent schools and safety
- →You're a Anyone valuing Midwestern hospitality and community
- →You're a Young professionals interested in startup culture
- →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 Des Moines or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $1,690 in Des Moines — a $205/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Provo?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Des Moines has lower state income tax (4.82%). On an $80K salary, that saves $40/year vs Provo (4.85%).
Is Des Moines or Provo better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $520K in Provo — a $275,000 difference on the median home.