Quick answer
Memphis costs $30/month less overall ($1,455 vs $1,485/mo). Memphis also has lower state income tax (None vs 4.85%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Memphis 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
Memphis vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Memphis | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $980 ✓ | $1,400 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,220 ✓ | $1,400 |
| Median Home Price | $195K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $150 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $325 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,455 ✓ | $1,485 |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 28/100 | 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: Memphis's 1BR averages $980/month vs $1,100 in Provo — a $120/month difference, or $1,440/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Memphis 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 Memphis are $195K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $65,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Memphis utilities run $55 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Memphis, TN
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Memphis. 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
Memphis
Hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional ice storms, high annual rainfall
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
Memphis top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Memphis if…
- →You're a logistics / supply chain workers
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a musicians
- →You're a remote workers seeking extreme affordability
- →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 Memphis or Provo cheaper to live in?
Memphis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,455 in Memphis vs $1,485 in Provo — a $30/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Memphis or Provo?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 36/100. Memphis is more car-dependent.
Memphis vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Memphis has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,880/year vs Provo (4.85%).
Is Memphis or Provo better for buying a home?
Memphis has lower median home prices at $195K vs $520K in Provo — a $325,000 difference on the median home.