Provo UT vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 37.3 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 78.6% | 63.5% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.0% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 35.7% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $570,934 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Provo, UT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 460 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2417 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.5% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 12.8% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.3 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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