Median rent is 18% lower in Provo ($1,152/mo vs $1,405/mo). Buying is cheaper in Provo, where the median home runs $437,100 versus $439,000. Households earn more in Orem ($81,292 vs $62,800 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (87.3).
City A
Orem, UT
City B
Provo, UT
How much would you need to earn in Provo, UT to maintain your standard of living from Orem, UT?
Equivalent salary in Provo, UT
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Orem
Utah
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 $1,152/mo compared to $1,405/mo in Orem (18% gap). Median home values are within 0% of each other: $439,000 in Orem and $437,100 in Provo.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Utah's top income tax rate is 4.65% versus 4.65% in Utah, so Provo is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.85% in Utah and 4.85% in Utah; Provo has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Orem
Income tax: 4.65%
Sales tax: 4.85%
Provo
Income tax: 4.65%
Sales tax: 4.85%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Orem if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,292/yr).
Pick Provo if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,152/mo median).
Is Orem cheaper than Provo?
Orem is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 87.3 versus 87.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Orem.
How much is rent in Orem vs Provo?
Median rent is $1,405/mo in Orem, UT and $1,152/mo in Provo, UT. Provo, UT has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Orem or Provo?
Median household income is $81,292 in Orem, UT and $62,800 in Provo, UT. Orem, UT 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 — Orem or Provo?
Utah's top income tax rate is 4.65% and Utah's is 4.65%. Provo, UT has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Provo to match my Orem income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Orem, UT is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Provo, UT (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology