Quick answer
Provo costs $315/month less overall ($1,485 vs $1,800/mo). But Fort Worth's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,880/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Fort Worth 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
Fort Worth vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Fort Worth | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,280 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,620 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $340K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $175 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $345 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,800 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 34/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 25/100 | 42/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 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 $1,280 in Fort Worth — a $180/month difference, or $2,160/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Fort Worth charges None state income tax vs 4.85% in Provo. On an $80K salary that's a $3,880/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,820 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Fort Worth 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: Fort Worth utilities run $80 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Fort Worth, TX
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Fort Worth. 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
Fort Worth
Hot summers (similar to Dallas, 100°F+), mild winters with occasional ice storms, severe thunderstorm and tornado season in spring
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
Fort Worth top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Fort Worth if…
- →You're a aerospace / defense workers
- →You're a healthcare professionals
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a Texas culture enthusiasts
- →You want zero state income tax
- →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 Fort Worth or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $1,800 in Fort Worth — a $315/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Fort Worth or Provo?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 34/100. Fort Worth is more car-dependent.
Fort Worth vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Fort Worth has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,880/year vs Provo (4.85%).
Is Fort Worth or Provo better for buying a home?
Fort Worth has lower median home prices at $340K vs $520K in Provo — a $180,000 difference on the median home.