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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Provo

Utah
102

San Jose is 149% more expensive than Provo.

$2,617/mo ↑ 127%
Median Rent
$1,152/mo ↓ 56%
$141,565/yr ↑ 125%
Median Income
$62,800/yr ↓ 56%
$1,187,800 ↑ 172%
Home Value
$437,100 ↓ 63%
$2,775/mo ↑ 127%
Owner Costs
$1,220/mo ↓ 56%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Provo, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,465/month cheaper in Provo, saving renters about $17,580/year.

Median household income is $78,765/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $437,100 in Provo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Provo — common questions

Is San Jose or Provo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Provo is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Provo?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Provo it's $1,152/month — a difference of $1,465/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Provo?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $62,800 in Provo. Median household income is $78,765/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Provo?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Provo details →

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