Provo vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Provo
Rochester
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.6%, with Rochester being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Provo has equivalent purchasing power to $67,788 in Rochester.
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 $67,788 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $82,979 in Provo.
Living in Provo vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Provo's housing index of 112 is higher Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $345,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Provo compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Provo and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Provo vs $489/month in Rochester. 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 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Provo vs $408 in Rochester. 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 97 in Provo and 104 in Rochester. 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 $51,048 in Provo and $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,085 and $97,340 respectively. Rochester 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 $2,135/month in Rochester. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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