Provo UT vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 35.5 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 78.6% | 61.8% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 8.2% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $871,599 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Provo, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 383 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 3409 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 6.1% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 19.0% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 37.5 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.8 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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