Provo UT vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 102,558 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 33.0 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 7.2% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 70.1% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $58,568 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 25.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 442 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2339 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 35.4% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.9% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.8% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 14.9% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 63.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 28.9 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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