Quick answer
Provo costs $110/month less overall ($1,485 vs $1,595/mo). Provo also has lower state income tax (4.85% vs 5.7%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Overland Park 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
Overland Park vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Overland Park | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $395K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $125 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,595 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 58/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 32/100 | 42/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 5.7% | 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 Overland Park — 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: Provo charges 4.85% state income tax vs 5.7% in Overland Park. On an $80K salary that's a $680/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,840 vs $5,820 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Overland Park are $395K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $25,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Overland Park utilities run $30 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Overland Park, KS
Overland Park 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
Overland Park
Cold, snowy winters (20°F average, 15 inches snow) and hot, humid summers (90°F). Spring brings severe thunderstorms and tornado risk; fall is mild and pleasant.
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
Overland Park top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Overland Park if…
- →You're a Families with children (top-rated schools)
- →You're a Corporate professionals
- →You're a Remote workers seeking Midwest affordability
- →You're a People prioritizing school quality and safety
- →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 Overland Park or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $1,595 in Overland Park — a $110/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Overland Park or Provo?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 58/100. Overland Park is more car-dependent.
Overland Park vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Provo has lower state income tax (4.85%). On an $80K salary, that saves $680/year vs Overland Park (5.7%).
Is Overland Park or Provo better for buying a home?
Overland Park has lower median home prices at $395K vs $520K in Provo — a $125,000 difference on the median home.