Median rent is 17% lower in Provo ($1,193/mo vs $1,446/mo). Buying is cheaper in Provo, where the median home runs $467,200 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $64,171 a year). Taken together, Provo is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 88.6 against 89.4 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boise City, ID.
Quick verdict
Provo is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 88.6 in Provo vs 89.4 in Boise City (US average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Provo, UT
How much would you need to earn in Provo, UT to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Provo, UT
$74,360
You could earn $640 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Boise City
Idaho
Provo
Utah
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Provo at $1,193/mo compared to $1,446/mo in Boise City (17% gap). Median home values are within 4% of each other: $484,800 in Boise City and $467,200 in Provo.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boise City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Provo
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Boise City (avg AQI 36.0) but not yet for Provo.
Pick Boise City if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,904/yr).
Pick Provo if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,193/mo median).
Is Boise City cheaper than Provo?
Provo is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 88.6 versus 89.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Provo.
How much is rent in Boise City vs Provo?
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,193/mo in Provo, UT. Provo, UT has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or Provo?
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $64,171 in Provo, UT. Boise City, ID has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Boise City or Provo?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Provo to match my Boise City income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boise City, ID is equivalent to roughly $99,147 in Provo, UT (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
