Cost of Living: Gainesville, FL vs Provo, UT (2026)

Gainesville

Florida
81
VS

Provo

Utah
102

Gainesville is 21% cheaper than Provo.

$1,214/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,152/mo ↓ 5%
$45,611/yr ↓ 27%
Median Income
$62,800/yr ↑ 38%
$235,000 ↓ 46%
Home Value
$437,100 ↑ 86%
$1,167/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,220/mo ↑ 5%
143,611
Population
114,303

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.65%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

31.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Gainesville, FL and Provo, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 81 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $62/month cheaper in Provo, saving renters about $744/year.

Median household income is $17,189/year higher in Provo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Gainesville is $235,000 compared to $437,100 in Provo.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Gainesville residents a significant tax advantage over Utah's 4.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gainesville vs Provo — common questions

Is Gainesville or Provo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Gainesville is cheaper to live in with an index of 81 compared to 102 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Gainesville and Provo?
Median rent in Gainesville is $1,214/month and in Provo it's $1,152/month — a difference of $62/month.
Which city has higher income, Gainesville or Provo?
Median household income is $45,611 in Gainesville and $62,800 in Provo. Median household income is $17,189/year higher in Provo.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Utah?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Gainesville or Provo?
It depends on your priorities. Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with median rent of $1,214/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 Gainesville details → View Provo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Gainesville and Provo

Gainesville vs. Olathe Gainesville vs. Torrance Gainesville vs. McAllen Gainesville vs. Thornton Gainesville vs. Syracuse Gainesville vs. Visalia Provo vs. Waterbury Provo vs. Elgin Provo vs. Carlsbad Provo vs. Odessa Provo vs. East Los Angeles Provo vs. Springfield