Quick answer
Provo costs $210/month less overall ($1,485 vs $1,695/mo). But San Antonio's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,880/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Provo vs San Antonio
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 San Antonio at a Glance
| Metric | Provo | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,100 ✓ | $1,480 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 ✓ | $1,480 |
| Median Home Price | $520K | $285K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $95 ✓ | $175 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $290 ✓ | $340 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,485 ✓ | $1,695 |
| Walk Score | 68/100 ✓ | 36/100 |
| Transit Score | 42/100 ✓ | 28/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.85% | None ✓ |
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 $1,180 in San Antonio — a $80/month difference, or $960/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: San Antonio 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 San Antonio are $285K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $47,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: San Antonio utilities run $80 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
San Antonio, TX
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in San Antonio. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
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.
San Antonio
Hot and humid summers (similar to Houston, slightly less rain), mild winters, occasional ice storms
Job Market
Provo top industries
San Antonio 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 San Antonio if…
- →You're a military families
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a retirees
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provo or San Antonio cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $1,695 in San Antonio — a $210/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Provo or San Antonio?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 36/100. San Antonio is more car-dependent.
Provo vs San Antonio: which has lower state income tax?
San Antonio has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,880/year vs Provo (4.85%).
Is Provo or San Antonio better for buying a home?
San Antonio has lower median home prices at $285K vs $520K in Provo — a $235,000 difference on the median home.