Provo vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Provo
Racine
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.2%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Provo has equivalent purchasing power to $63,462 in Racine.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Provo has the same purchasing power as $63,462 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $88,636 in Provo.
Living in Provo vs Racine
Housing Costs
Provo's housing index of 112 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $126,000. The $254,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,512 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Provo compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Provo and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Provo vs $461/month in Racine. 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 87 in Provo and 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Provo vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Provo and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,048 in Provo and $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,085 and $65,568 respectively. Racine residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,191/month to housing in Provo vs $1,346/month in Racine. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. 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
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases