Provo UT vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Tempe
29.9
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 29.9 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 78.6% | 60.1% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $59,120 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Provo, UT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 450 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2150 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Tempe
7.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 7.2% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 18.3% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 9.1% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 71.3°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 23.2 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. 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, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Provo, UTLos Angeles, CA vs Provo, UTChicago, IL vs Provo, UTHouston, TX vs Provo, UTPhoenix, AZ vs Provo, UTPhiladelphia, PA vs Provo, UT