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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Provo

Utah
102

Sacramento is 29% more expensive than Provo.

$1,694/mo ↑ 47%
Median Rent
$1,152/mo ↓ 32%
$83,753/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$62,800/yr ↓ 25%
$484,600 ↑ 11%
Home Value
$437,100 ↓ 10%
$1,752/mo ↑ 44%
Owner Costs
$1,220/mo ↓ 30%
524,802
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

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Provo, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $542/month cheaper in Provo, saving renters about $6,504/year.

Median household income is $20,953/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $437,100 in Provo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Provo — common questions

Is Sacramento or Provo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Provo is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Provo?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Provo it's $1,152/month — a difference of $542/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Provo?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $62,800 in Provo. Median household income is $20,953/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Provo?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Provo details →

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