Quick answer
Provo costs $380/month less overall ($1,485 vs $1,865/mo). But Plano's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,880/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Plano 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
Plano vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Plano | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,750 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $475K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $155 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $310 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,865 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 58/100 | 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: Provo's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,400 in Plano — a $300/month difference, or $3,600/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Plano 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 Plano are $475K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $9,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Plano utilities run $60 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Plano, TX
Plano 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
Plano
Hot, humid subtropical. Summers (June-September) reach 95-98°F with 60-70% humidity. Winters are mild (50-65°F). Occasional ice storms; severe thunderstorms and tornado risk May-June.
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
Plano top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Plano if…
- →You're a Tech workers
- →You're a Corporate professionals
- →You're a Families seeking suburbs
- →You're a People avoiding state income tax
- →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 Plano or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $1,865 in Plano — a $380/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Plano or Provo?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 58/100. Plano is more car-dependent.
Plano vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Plano has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,880/year vs Provo (4.85%).
Is Plano or Provo better for buying a home?
Plano has lower median home prices at $475K vs $520K in Provo — a $45,000 difference on the median home.