City Comparison

Provo vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Provo

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

Springfield

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

The Verdict

23.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 23.8%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Provo has equivalent purchasing power to $60,577 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
112
Provo
67
Springfield
Groceries
98
Provo
94
Springfield
Utilities
87
Provo
79
Springfield
Transportation
101
Provo
90
Springfield
Healthcare
97
Provo
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Provo has the same purchasing power as $60,577 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $92,857 in Provo.

Living in Provo vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Provo's housing index of 112 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $225,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Provo compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Provo and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Provo vs $447/month in Springfield. 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 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Provo vs $316 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Provo and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,085 and $54,762 respectively. Springfield 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 23.8% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Provo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,577 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Provo's housing index is 112 with median homes at $380,000, while Springfield's is 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases