Median rent is 9% lower in Provo ($1,193/mo vs $1,318/mo). Buying is cheaper in Salisbury, where the median home runs $227,300 versus $467,200. Households earn more in Provo ($64,171 vs $58,576 a year). Taken together, Provo is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 88.6 against 89.3 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Provo, UT.
Cost of living verdict
Provo is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 88.6 in Provo vs 89.3 in Salisbury (US national average = 100)
City A
Provo, UT
City B
Salisbury, MD
How much would you need to earn in Salisbury, MD to maintain your standard of living from Provo, UT?
Equivalent salary in Salisbury, MD
$75,593
You'd need $593 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Provo
Utah
Salisbury
Maryland
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Provo at $1,193/mo compared to $1,318/mo in Salisbury (9% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Provo: the median home is $467,200 versus $227,300 in Salisbury — 51% more expensive.
Metric
Provo
Salisbury
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Provo
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Salisbury
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Provo if you prioritize higher median household income ($64,171/yr).
Provo is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 88.6 versus 89.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Provo.
Median rent is $1,193/mo in Provo, UT and $1,318/mo in Salisbury, MD. Provo, UT has the lower rent by about 9%.
Median household income is $64,171 in Provo, UT and $58,576 in Salisbury, MD. Provo, UT has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Provo, UT is equivalent to roughly $100,791 in Salisbury, MD (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
