Provo-Orem-Lehi cost of living
Prices in the Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT metro area run at 98.2 against a national average of 100, ranking it #110 of 387 metros. Rents there sit at 104.1.
What drives the number
Prices in Provo-Orem-Lehi run at 98.2 where the national average is 100, so about 1.8 per cent below the country as a whole. It ranks #110 of 387 metro areas. Against Utah as a whole it is 0.7 points less expensive, which is the unusual direction, and it means the expensive part of the state is somewhere else.
The parts move together here rather than pulling against each other: goods at 96.4, rents at 104.1, other services at 78.6. That is less common than it sounds. In most places rents sit well away from the other two, and the overall figure is really a housing figure in disguise.
A salary here goes further than the same salary somewhere at 100. Divide by 98.2 and multiply by 100 to get the nationally comparable figure, and it will come out higher than the headline.
The vertical line is the national average of 100. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, SARPP, 2024.
What the biggest local jobs are really worth
The same pay buys different amounts in different places, so a salary quoted in Provo-Orem-Lehi is not comparable to one quoted elsewhere until it is divided by the local parity. These are the occupations that employ the most people here, with the quoted median alongside what that median is worth at national prices.
| Occupation | Employed | Median pay | Worth nationally | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 11,760 | $28,290 | $28,809 | $30,480 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 9,410 | $38,250 | $38,951 | $42,830 |
| General and Operations Managers | 8,060 | $93,540 | $95,255 | $102,950 |
| Retail Salespersons | 7,730 | $32,340 | $32,933 | $34,580 |
| Software Developers | 7,120 | $127,640 | $129,980 | $133,080 |
| Office Clerks, General | 6,470 | $39,110 | $39,827 | $43,630 |
| Construction Laborers | 5,100 | $45,820 | $46,660 | $46,730 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 4,900 | $59,950 | $61,049 | $66,260 |
Pay from the BLS metro survey, adjusted by dividing by the metro parity of 98.2.
Nearby metro areas
| Metro area | All items | Rents | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray | 100.9 | 123.3 | #72 |
| Ogden | 100.3 | 117.9 | #82 |
| St. George | 97.3 | 98.1 | #125 |
| Logan | 95.9 | 91.0 | #148 |
Provo-Orem-Lehi: common questions
Is Provo-Orem-Lehi expensive?
Prices are 1.8% below the national average, a parity of 98.2 where the country is 100. It ranks #110 of the 387 metro areas BEA measures. Against Utah as a whole it is 0.7 points less expensive.
What salary do you need in Provo-Orem-Lehi?
The median worker there earns $46,610, which buys what $47,464 buys nationally once local prices are taken into account. Comparing a salary offer between cities without this adjustment is comparing nothing useful.
Is housing the reason?
Usually. Rents here are at 104.1 against goods at 96.4. Goods barely vary between American cities because most are shipped and priced nationally; housing varies enormously, and it dominates any cost of living comparison.