City Comparison

Johnson City vs Provo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

Provo

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

The Verdict

18.3%

Living in Johnson City costs 18.3% less than Provo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Johnson City, you would need $91,765 in Provo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
66
Johnson City
112
Provo
Groceries
95
Johnson City
98
Provo
Utilities
95
Johnson City
87
Provo
Transportation
88
Johnson City
101
Provo
Healthcare
94
Johnson City
97
Provo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $91,765 in Provo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Provo equals $61,298 in Johnson City.

Living in Johnson City vs Provo

Housing Costs

Johnson City's housing index of 66 is lower Provo's 112, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $380,000. The $104,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $1,300/mo in Provo, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 98 in Provo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City 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 95 in Johnson City and 87 in Provo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $348 in Provo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City 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 $55,400 in Johnson City and $51,048 in Provo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 and $49,085 respectively. Johnson City residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,293/month to housing in Johnson City vs $1,191/month in Provo. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/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 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 18.3% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,765 in Provo, based on the cost of living difference.
Johnson City's housing index is 66 with median homes at $276,000, while Provo's is 112 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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