Can I Afford to Live in Provo vs Cebu City on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses โ€” based on Q1 2026 data.

Provo, UT
$5,929/mo take-home
Rent: $1,400/mo (24% of take-home)
Comfortable
Cebu City, PH
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $400/mo (6% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Provo
UT
Cebu City
PH
Monthly take-home (est.)$5,929$6,321
1BR rent$1,400$400
Groceries (est.)$372$380
Transport (est.)$62$150
Utilities$148$55
Internet$63$25
Left after essentials$3,884/month$5,311/month
Cebu City (Cebu) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Provo (UT rate: 4.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Provo?

At $100K/year in Provo, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,929. With 1BR rent around $1,400/month, rent takes up 24% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Cebu City?

At $100K/year in Cebu City, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $400/month, rent takes up 6% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

Cebu City leaves you with more money after core expenses โ€” $5,311/month vs $3,884/month in Provo.

Can I afford to live alone in Provo on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in Provo, rent takes 24% of your take-home, leaving $3,884/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands โ€” Provo vs Cebu City

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more โ€” side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo ยท Q1 2026 ยท For general guidance only