Provo UT vs Raleigh NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 34.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 78.6% | 53.8% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 12.7% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $59,120 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Provo, UT | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 398 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1999 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 30.9% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.3% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 10.5% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 61.1°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 46.2 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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