Provo UT vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Provo
1.1%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 36.0 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 78.6% | 50.4% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $1,006,261 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.2% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.9% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 9.3% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 61.6°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Diego, 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 +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.9 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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