Provo vs Surprise

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 $74,279 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $75,728 in Provo.

Living in Provo vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Provo's housing index of 112 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $419,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Provo compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Provo and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Provo vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Provo vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,085 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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