Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
12% cheaper
Provo is 12% more affordable than Denver. A $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to $66,102 in Provo.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · Utah salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Provo sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $380,000 in Provo, a difference of $140,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,300 in Provo.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Provo scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Provo (97). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $51,048 in Provo. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Provo.
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