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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Provo

Utah
102

San Francisco is 162% more expensive than Provo.

$2,419/mo ↑ 110%
Median Rent
$1,152/mo ↓ 52%
$141,446/yr ↑ 125%
Median Income
$62,800/yr ↓ 56%
$1,380,500 ↑ 216%
Home Value
$437,100 ↓ 68%
$2,620/mo ↑ 115%
Owner Costs
$1,220/mo ↓ 53%
836,321
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

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Provo, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,267/month cheaper in Provo, saving renters about $15,204/year.

Median household income is $78,646/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $437,100 in Provo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Provo — common questions

Is San Francisco or Provo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Provo is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Provo?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Provo it's $1,152/month — a difference of $1,267/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Provo?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $62,800 in Provo. Median household income is $78,646/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Provo?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Provo details →

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