City Comparison

Champaign vs Provo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Provo

Utah
104
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$51,048
Median Income

The Verdict

22.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.1%, with Champaign being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to $96,296 in Provo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
83
Champaign
112
Provo
Groceries
98
Champaign
98
Provo
Utilities
106
Champaign
87
Provo
Transportation
99
Champaign
101
Provo
Healthcare
90
Champaign
97
Provo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $96,296 in Provo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Provo equals $58,413 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Provo

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Provo's 112, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $380,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,300/mo in Provo, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 98 in Provo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $466/month in Provo. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 87 in Provo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign 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 90 in Champaign and 97 in Provo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $51,048 in Provo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $49,085 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,191/month in Provo. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 22.1% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,296 in Provo, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Provo's is 112 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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