Quick answer
Provo costs $60/month less overall ($1,485 vs $1,545/mo). But Winston-Salem's 4.75% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $80/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Provo vs Winston-Salem
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 Winston-Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Provo | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,100 ✓ | $1,450 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 ✓ | $1,450 |
| Median Home Price | $520K | $385K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $95 ✓ | $125 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $290 ✓ | $320 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,485 ✓ | $1,545 |
| Walk Score | 68/100 ✓ | 68/100 |
| Transit Score | 42/100 ✓ | 32/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.85% | 4.75% ✓ |
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 $1,100 in Winston-Salem — a $0/month difference, or $0/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Winston-Salem charges 4.75% state income tax vs 4.85% in Provo. On an $80K salary that's a $80/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,820 vs $5,700 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Winston-Salem are $385K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $27,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Winston-Salem utilities run $30 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
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
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.
Winston-Salem
Four seasons: hot summers (85-92°F June-Aug), cold winters (35-45°F Dec-Feb) with occasional snow. Spring and fall are mild and pleasant.
Job Market
Provo top industries
Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem if…
- →You're a Remote workers wanting Southeast cost-of-living with real city infrastructure
- →You're a Healthcare and education professionals
- →You're a People wanting to buy a home affordably
- →You're a Anyone wanting four seasons, low taxes, and 40% cheaper cost-of-living than East Coast cities
- →You want to live without a car
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provo or Winston-Salem cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $1,545 in Winston-Salem — a $60/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Provo or Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 68/100. Provo is more car-dependent.
Provo vs Winston-Salem: which has lower state income tax?
Winston-Salem has lower state income tax (4.75%). On an $80K salary, that saves $80/year vs Provo (4.85%).
Is Provo or Winston-Salem better for buying a home?
Winston-Salem has lower median home prices at $385K vs $520K in Provo — a $135,000 difference on the median home.