Quick answer
Provo costs $285/month less overall ($1,485 vs $1,770/mo). But Pittsburgh'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
Pittsburgh 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
Pittsburgh vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Pittsburgh | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,280 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,580 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $225K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $145 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $345 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,770 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 63/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 52/100 ✓ | 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 $1,280 in Pittsburgh — a $180/month difference, or $2,160/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh are $225K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $59,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Pittsburgh utilities run $50 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh'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
Pittsburgh
Four seasons; cold cloudy winters (one of the least sunny US cities), warm summers, beautiful fall
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
Pittsburgh top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Pittsburgh if…
- →You're a tech / robotics workers
- →You're a healthcare professionals
- →You're a academics
- →You're a value-seekers from coastal cities
- →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 Pittsburgh or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $1,770 in Pittsburgh — a $285/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Pittsburgh or Provo?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 63/100. Pittsburgh is more car-dependent.
Pittsburgh vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Pittsburgh has lower state income tax (3.07%). On an $80K salary, that saves $1,424/year vs Provo (4.85%).
Is Pittsburgh or Provo better for buying a home?
Pittsburgh has lower median home prices at $225K vs $520K in Provo — a $295,000 difference on the median home.