Provo UT vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Provo
78.6%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Provo
1.1%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 37.2 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 1.1% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 7.8% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 32.6% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Provo, UT | Spokane, 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%
Provo +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 35.3% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.3% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.5% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 12.7% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Spokane, 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 +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.6 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. 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, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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