Odessa vs Provo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Odessa
Provo
The Verdict
Living in Odessa costs 18.3% less than Provo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Odessa, you would need $91,765 in Provo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Odessa has the same purchasing power as $91,765 in Provo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Provo equals $61,298 in Odessa.
Living in Odessa vs Provo
Housing Costs
Odessa's housing index of 72 is lower Provo's 112, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $380,000. The $157,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,200 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Odessa compared to $1,300/mo in Provo, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 98 in Provo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa 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 100 in Odessa and 87 in Provo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa 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 96 in Odessa 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 $73,500 in Odessa and $51,048 in Provo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $49,085 respectively. Odessa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,715/month to housing in Odessa vs $1,191/month in Provo. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/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 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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