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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Provo

Utah
102

Irvine is 151% more expensive than Provo.

$2,893/mo ↑ 151%
Median Rent
$1,152/mo ↓ 60%
$129,647/yr ↑ 106%
Median Income
$62,800/yr ↓ 52%
$1,115,400 ↑ 155%
Home Value
$437,100 ↓ 61%
$2,904/mo ↑ 138%
Owner Costs
$1,220/mo ↓ 58%
308,160
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

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Provo, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,741/month cheaper in Provo, saving renters about $20,892/year.

Median household income is $66,847/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $437,100 in Provo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Provo — common questions

Is Irvine or Provo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Provo is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Provo?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Provo it's $1,152/month — a difference of $1,741/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Provo?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $62,800 in Provo. Median household income is $66,847/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine or Provo?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Provo details →

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