Moving from Provo, UT to Salt Lake City, UT
About 9,785 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 10,533 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Salt Lake City, UT.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.1% of income in Provo, UT and 21.1% in Salt Lake City, UT.
Provo, UT Salt Lake City, UT (monthly)
| Monthly | Provo, UT | Salt Lake City, UT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,229 | $1,229 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $235 | $235 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,604 | $4,604 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,192 | $1,349 | +$157 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,192 | $1,349 | +$157 |
| Food | $425 | $425 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.4 | $425 | $425 | $0 |
| Transportation | $177 | $177 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.42/gal (Rocky Mountain (PADD)) | $177 | $177 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $42 | $42 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.1% on other goods; 3% on groceries — local add-ons not modeled | $42 | $42 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $977 | $977 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.4 | $482 | $482 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.0 | $495 | $495 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,792 | $1,635 | −$157 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.9% of income in Provo, UT and 15.9% in Salt Lake City, UT.
Provo, UT Salt Lake City, UT (monthly)
| Monthly | Provo, UT | Salt Lake City, UT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,588 | $1,588 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $353 | $353 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,412 | $8,412 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,363 | $1,615 | +$252 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,363 | $1,615 | +$252 |
| Childcare | $1,757 | $1,757 | $0 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $168/wk, school-age $164/wk (2022 prices, Salt Lake County, UT); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,757 | $1,757 | $0 |
| Food | $1,237 | $1,237 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.4 | $1,237 | $1,237 | $0 |
| Transportation | $353 | $353 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.42/gal (Rocky Mountain (PADD)) | $353 | $353 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $67 | $67 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.1% on other goods; 3% on groceries — local add-ons not modeled | $67 | $67 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $977 | $977 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.4 | $482 | $482 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.0 | $495 | $495 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,657 | $2,405 | −$252 |
Provo, UT vs Salt Lake City, UT at a glance
| Measure | Provo, UT | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 98.2 | 100.9 |
| Housing price level | 104.1 | 123.3 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,192 | $1,349 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,363 | $1,615 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,887 | $2,143 |
| Median home value | $535,500 | $515,400 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.44% | 0.55% |
| Median household income | $100,704 | $98,083 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $226 | $226 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6.1% | 6.1% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.42 | $4.42 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $99 | $99 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Salt Lake City, UT to keep my Provo, UT lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Provo, UT, about $72,916 in Salt Lake City, UT (+4.2%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $124,054. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Salt Lake City, UT cheaper than Provo, UT?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Salt Lake City, UT is at 100.9 and Provo, UT at 98.2 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$157 a month in Salt Lake City, UT.
How many people move from Provo, UT to Salt Lake City, UT?+
About 9,785 people a year (±1,208), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 10,533 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.