Provo vs Santa Fe — side-by-side
Cost of living: Provo vs Santa Fe (2026)
A $64,000 salary in Provo buys roughly what $64,000 does in Santa Fe (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
+$1,967/yr
Favoring Provo for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $164/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~92 months and still keep ~$20/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 | Santa Fe New Mexico | Who wins | Your impact at $64K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100Better | $1,200 | Provo wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Provo |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,550 | Provo wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Provo |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,850Better | $2,050 | Provo wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Provo |
| Median home price | $480KBetter | $480K | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 99 | Provo wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Better | $13 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55Better | $58 | Provo wins +$3/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $62 | $40Wins | Santa Fe wins −$22/mo | $264/yr saves in Santa Fe |
| Gas price/gal | $3.35 | $3.15Better | Santa Fe wins −$0.20 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $138Better | $142 | Provo wins +$4/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $148Better | $158 | Provo wins +$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $63Better | $65 | Provo wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $70KWins | $58K | Provo wins −$12K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.7%Better | 4.9% | Provo wins +0.2 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.2%Better | 7.7% | Provo wins +0.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38Better | $38 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.50 | Provo wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 99Better | 99 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 30 | 42Wins | Santa Fe wins +12 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
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
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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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Provo vs Santa Fe?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Provo is $1,400/month and in Santa Fe is $1,550/month. Provo is cheaper by 10%.
How much do I need to earn in Santa Fe to match a $75,000 salary in Provo?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe?
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 Santa Fe?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. 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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