Quick answer
Provo costs $625/month less overall ($1,485 vs $2,110/mo). Provo also has lower state income tax (4.85% vs Up to 9.9%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Portland vs Provo
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Portland vs Provo at a Glance
| Metric | Portland | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,590 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,980 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $498K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $120 | $95 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $400 | $290 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,110 | $1,485 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 67/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 51/100 ✓ | 42/100 |
| State Income Tax | Up to 9.9% | 4.85% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Provo's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,590 in Portland — a $490/month difference, or $5,880/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Provo charges 4.85% state income tax vs Up to 9.9% in Portland. On an $80K salary that's a $4,040/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $11,880 vs $5,820 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Portland are $498K vs $520K in Provo. At a 20% down payment, that's a $4,400 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Portland utilities run $25 more per month than Provo. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Portland, OR
Portland's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Provo, UT
Provo's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Portland
Consistently overcast and drizzly Oct–May (rarely below 35°F, rarely heavy rain); warm, dry, spectacular summers (75–85°F, June–September)
Provo
Four seasons with cold, snowy winters (average 60 inches annual snowfall) and warm, dry summers (85°F average). Spring and fall are mild.
Job Market
Portland top industries
Provo top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Portland if…
- →You're a cyclists
- →You're a foodies
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a creatives
- →You're a environmentalists
- →You want to live without a car
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Provo if…
- →You're a Software engineers and tech workers
- →You're a LDS families
- →You're a Young professionals seeking career growth
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts (skiing, hiking)
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portland or Provo cheaper to live in?
Provo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,485 in Provo vs $2,110 in Portland — a $625/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Portland or Provo?
Provo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 67/100. Portland is more car-dependent.
Portland vs Provo: which has lower state income tax?
Provo has lower state income tax (4.85%). On an $80K salary, that saves $4,040/year vs Portland (Up to 9.9%).
Is Portland or Provo better for buying a home?
Portland has lower median home prices at $498K vs $520K in Provo — a $22,000 difference on the median home.