Quick answer
Provo costs $865/month less overall ($1,485 vs $2,350/mo). But Philadelphia's 3.07% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $1,424/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Philadelphia 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
Philadelphia vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Philadelphia | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,350 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $280K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $155 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,350 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 79/100 ✓ | 68/100 |
| Transit Score | 67/100 ✓ | 42/100 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07% ✓ | 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 $1,800 in Philadelphia — a $700/month difference, or $8,400/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Philadelphia charges 3.07% state income tax vs 4.85% in Provo. On an $80K salary that's a $1,424/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,820 vs $3,684 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Philadelphia are $280K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $48,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Philadelphia utilities run $60 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia'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
Philadelphia
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with snow, beautiful fall foliage
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
Philadelphia top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Philadelphia if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a researchers
- →You're a urban lifestyle seekers
- →You're a NYC workers seeking lower costs
- →You want to live without a car
- →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 Philadelphia or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $2,350 in Philadelphia — a $865/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Philadelphia or Provo?
Philadelphia is more walkable with a Walk Score of 79/100 vs 68/100. Provo is more car-dependent.
Philadelphia vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Philadelphia has lower state income tax (3.07%). On an $80K salary, that saves $1,424/year vs Provo (4.85%).
Is Philadelphia or Provo better for buying a home?
Philadelphia has lower median home prices at $280K vs $520K in Provo — a $240,000 difference on the median home.