Quick answer
Provo costs $325/month less overall ($1,485 vs $1,810/mo). Provo also has lower state income tax (4.85% vs 5.75%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Provo vs Richmond
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
Provo vs Richmond at a Glance
| Metric | Provo | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,100 ✓ | $1,680 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 ✓ | $1,680 |
| Median Home Price | $520K | $330K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $95 ✓ | $145 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $290 ✓ | $345 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,485 ✓ | $1,810 |
| Walk Score | 68/100 ✓ | 51/100 |
| Transit Score | 42/100 ✓ | 37/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.85% ✓ | 5.75% |
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 $1,320 in Richmond — a $220/month difference, or $2,640/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Provo charges 4.85% state income tax vs 5.75% in Richmond. On an $80K salary that's a $720/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,900 vs $5,820 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Richmond are $330K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $38,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Richmond utilities run $50 more per month than Provo.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Provo, UT
Provo's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Richmond, VA
Richmond is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Provo
Four seasons with cold, snowy winters (average 60 inches annual snowfall) and warm, dry summers (85°F average). Spring and fall are mild.
Richmond
Four seasons; hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional snow, pleasant spring and fall
Job Market
Provo top industries
Richmond top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
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
Move to Richmond if…
- →You're a finance workers
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a craft beer lovers
- →You're a DC-adjacent remote workers
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provo or Richmond cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $1,810 in Richmond — a $325/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Provo or Richmond?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 51/100. Richmond is more car-dependent.
Provo vs Richmond: which has lower state income tax?
Provo has lower state income tax (4.85%). On an $80K salary, that saves $720/year vs Richmond (5.75%).
Is Provo or Richmond better for buying a home?
Richmond has lower median home prices at $330K vs $520K in Provo — a $190,000 difference on the median home.