Cost of Living: Fresno, CA vs Provo, UT (2026)

Fresno

California
101
VS

Provo

Utah
102

Fresno and Provo have a similar cost of living.

$1,324/mo ↑ 15%
Median Rent
$1,152/mo ↓ 13%
$66,804/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$62,800/yr ↓ 6%
$348,500 ↓ 20%
Home Value
$437,100 ↑ 25%
$1,391/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,220/mo ↓ 12%
543,615
Population
114,303

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.65%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Provo, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $172/month cheaper in Provo, saving renters about $2,064/year.

Median household income is $4,004/year higher in Fresno. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $437,100 in Provo.

Utah has a lower income tax rate, making Provo slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Provo — common questions

Is Fresno or Provo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fresno is cheaper to live in with an index of 101 compared to 102 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Provo?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Provo it's $1,152/month — a difference of $172/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Provo?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $62,800 in Provo. Median household income is $4,004/year higher in Fresno.
How do taxes compare between California and Utah?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Provo?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/mo, while Provo has a cost index of 102 with rent of $1,152/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fresno details → View Provo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fresno and Provo

Fresno vs. Albuquerque Fresno vs. Tucson Fresno vs. Milwaukee Fresno vs. Sacramento Fresno vs. Baltimore Fresno vs. Kansas City Provo vs. Waterbury Provo vs. Elgin Provo vs. Carlsbad Provo vs. Odessa Provo vs. East Los Angeles Provo vs. Springfield