Provo UT vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 35.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 78.6% | 36.8% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.2% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 36.4% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.2% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.3% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 11.9% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 61.0°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.0 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. 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, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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