Provo UT vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 37.4 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.1% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 61.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 8.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 40.4% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 36.5% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.8% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.6% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 12.1% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.0 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Provo. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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