Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 114,303 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 59.2% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 21.6% | 1.1% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Provo
45.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $26,755 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 22.3% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 45.0% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Provo
39.9%
Provo +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $486,127 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 39.9% | Provo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Gainesville +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 21.5% | Gainesville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Provo
20.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 20.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. 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, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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