Provo wins overall by ~7% (COL index)
Cost of living: Provo vs Chicago (2026)
A $68,500 salary in Provo buys roughly what $74,035 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$7,036/yr
Favoring Provo for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $586/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~26 months and still keep ~$70/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Provo Utah | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $69K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $1,500 | Provo wins +$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Provo |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $1,900 | Provo wins +$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Provo |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,850Wins | $2,600 | Provo wins +$750/mo | $9,000/yr saves in Provo |
| Median home price | $480K | $360KWins | Chicago wins −$120K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 102 | Provo wins +4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Wins | $15 | Provo wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55Better | $60 | Provo wins +$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $62Wins | $105 | Provo wins +$43/mo | $516/yr saves in Provo |
| Gas price/gal | $3.35Better | $3.40 | Provo wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $138Wins | $165 | Provo wins +$27/mo | $324/yr saves in Provo |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $148Better | $165 | Provo wins +$17/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $63Better | $65 | Provo wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $70KBetter | $67K | Provo wins −$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.7%Better | 4.9% | Provo wins +0.2 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.2%Wins | 10.3% | Provo wins +3.1 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $16.00 | Provo wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38Wins | $45 | Provo wins +$7/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Wins | $7.00 | Provo wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 99Better | 107 | Provo wins +8 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 30 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +48 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Provo fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Provo.
High-yield savings
Park ~$6,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Provo cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Provo is 7% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (99 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Provo vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Provo is $1,400/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Provo is cheaper by 26%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Provo?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $81,061/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Provo. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Provo or Chicago?
Provo has the lower state income tax rate at 4.7% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.2 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Provo to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Provo offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Provo ↔ Chicago
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