Quick answer
Provo costs $745/month less overall ($1,485 vs $2,230/mo). But Providence's 5.99% (top) state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $280/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Providence 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
Providence vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Providence | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,650 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,000 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $380K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $180 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $400 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,230 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 75/100 ✓ | 68/100 |
| Transit Score | 51/100 ✓ | 42/100 |
| State Income Tax | 5.99% (top) ✓ | 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 $1,650 in Providence — a $550/month difference, or $6,600/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Providence charges 5.99% (top) state income tax vs 4.85% in Provo. On an $80K salary that's a $280/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,820 vs $5,400 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Providence are $380K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $28,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Providence utilities run $85 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Providence, RI
Providence'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
Providence
New England winters (cold, moderate snow); humid summers; seasonal transitions are pronounced; 4 true seasons
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
Providence top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Providence if…
- →You're a Artists, designers, and creative professionals (RISD gravity, gallery culture)
- →You're a Brown University-affiliated academics and families
- →You're a Urban walkability seekers who want Northeastern authenticity
- →You're a Culinary enthusiasts (Johnson & Wales, farm-to-table restaurants)
- →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 Providence or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $2,230 in Providence — a $745/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Providence or Provo?
Providence is more walkable with a Walk Score of 75/100 vs 68/100. Provo is more car-dependent.
Providence vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Providence has lower state income tax (5.99% (top)). On an $80K salary, that saves $280/year vs Provo (4.85%).
Is Providence or Provo better for buying a home?
Providence has lower median home prices at $380K vs $520K in Provo — a $140,000 difference on the median home.