Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Provo
12.2%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Provo
1.1%
Provo +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 12.2% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.1% | Provo + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 2.2% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 18.9% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Provo
$26,755
Provo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $62,800 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $26,755 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 22.3% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Escondido +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 39.9% | Escondido + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 30.7% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 21.5% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 19.8 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, 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 503 in Escondido. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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