Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
10% cheaper
Rochester is 10% more affordable than Provo. A $75,000 salary in Provo is equivalent to $67,788 in Rochester.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Utah salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Provo has a housing index of 112 while Rochester sits at 73 (national average = 100). The median home in Provo costs $380,000 compared to $155,000 in Rochester, a difference of $225,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,300 in Provo versus $1,000 in Rochester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Provo scores 98 while Rochester scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Provo (97) are lower than Rochester (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Provo is $51,048 compared to $39,728 in Rochester. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Rochester.
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