Arlington vs Provo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Provo
The Verdict
Provo is 57.7% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $47,561 in Provo to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $47,561 in Provo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Provo equals $118,269 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Provo
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Provo's 112, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $380,000. The $360,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,300/mo in Provo, a monthly difference of $1,050.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 98 in Provo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $466/month in Provo. Provo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 87 in Provo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $348 in Provo. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 97 in Provo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $51,048 in Provo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $49,085 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,191/month in Provo. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 137 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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