Quick answer
Provo costs $65/month less overall ($1,485 vs $1,550/mo). Provo also has lower state income tax (4.85% vs 5%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Mobile 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: October 14, 2026
Mobile vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Mobile | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,000 ✓ | $1,400 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,250 ✓ | $1,400 |
| Median Home Price | $175K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $180 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,550 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 22/100 | 42/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 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 $1,000/month vs $1,100 in Mobile — a $100/month difference, or $1,200/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Provo charges 4.85% state income tax vs 5% in Mobile. On an $80K salary that's a $120/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,000 vs $5,820 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Mobile are $175K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $69,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Mobile utilities run $85 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Mobile, AL
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Mobile. 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
Mobile
Subtropical with hot, humid summers; mild winters; significant hurricane risk.
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
Mobile top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Mobile if…
- →You're a Maritime and aerospace workers
- →You're a Military families and defense contractors
- →You're a Retirees seeking low cost of living and Southern charm
- →You're a Anyone drawn to Gulf Coast culture and history
- →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 Mobile or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $1,550 in Mobile — a $65/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Mobile or Provo?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 36/100. Mobile is more car-dependent.
Mobile vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Provo has lower state income tax (4.85%). On an $80K salary, that saves $120/year vs Mobile (5%).
Is Mobile or Provo better for buying a home?
Mobile has lower median home prices at $175K vs $520K in Provo — a $345,000 difference on the median home.