Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Provo
12.2%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 114,303 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 12.2% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 2.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 18.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $62,800 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $26,755 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 22.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Provo
39.9%
Provo +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 39.9% | Provo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 30.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 21.5% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 19.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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