Quick answer
Provo costs $1130/month less overall ($1,485 vs $2,615/mo). Provo also has lower state income tax (4.85% vs 9.3%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Long Beach 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
Long Beach vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Long Beach | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $2,050 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,650 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $825K | $520K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $400 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,615 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 76/100 ✓ | 68/100 |
| Transit Score | 72/100 ✓ | 42/100 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 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 $2,050 in Long Beach — a $950/month difference, or $11,400/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Provo charges 4.85% state income tax vs 9.3% in Long Beach. On an $80K salary that's a $3,560/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $11,160 vs $5,820 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Provo are $520K vs $825K in Long Beach. At a 20% down payment, that's a $61,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Long Beach utilities run $70 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach'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
Long Beach
Year-round mild: 60-70°F average. Rarely freezes; minimal rain (12 inches/year). Marine layer mornings (May-August) bring overcast, cool conditions until afternoon clearing.
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
Long Beach top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Long Beach if…
- →You're a Port/logistics workers
- →You're a People who want beach access without LA's sprawl
- →You're a Artists and creative types seeking community and affordability
- →You're a Anyone wanting California weather without SF or San Diego prices
- →You want to live without a car
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
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Beach or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $2,615 in Long Beach — a $1130/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Long Beach or Provo?
Long Beach is more walkable with a Walk Score of 76/100 vs 68/100. Provo is more car-dependent.
Long Beach vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Provo has lower state income tax (4.85%). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,560/year vs Long Beach (9.3%).
Is Long Beach or Provo better for buying a home?
Provo has lower median home prices at $520K vs $825K in Long Beach — a $305,000 difference on the median home.