Austin TX vs Provo UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Provo
12.2%
White
Austin
59.9%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 114,303 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 12.2% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 7.5% | 1.1% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.2% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 18.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Provo
45.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $62,800 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $26,755 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.7% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 22.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 45.0% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 39.9% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.7% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 21.5% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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