CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Provo, UT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableUT
Provo
98.2
overall index
$1,750/mo rent

Provo is moderately cheaper than Boston — 9.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $72,500 in Provo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing29.9%
Boston
148.4
Provo
104.1
🛒 Groceries3.3%
Boston
99.7
Provo
96.4
🚗 Transportation4.5%
Boston
108.8
Provo
103.9
🏥 Healthcare4.5%
Boston
98.4
Provo
94
Utilities47.2%
Boston
148.8
Provo
78.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boston to see what you'd need to earn in Provo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Provo, UT
$72,500
$7,500 less needed in Provo

Formula: salary × (98.2 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.9067. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Provo, UT

Median Home Price
$534,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
104.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.4×

Boston has 29.9% lower housing costs compared to Provo.

Income & Job Market

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

Provo, UT

Median Household Income
$100,800
Per Capita Income
$57,500
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
116,288
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Provo, UT
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.