Firstly why Provo, Utah?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Provo
• State: Utah
• Population: 119,202 people
• Provo’s quick summary would be Home to Brigham Young University and renowned for its beautiful Provo Canyon and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 8,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 5,000 annually
• Net Migration: 3000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 500
• Number of Homeless people: 300

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it home to Brigham Young University attracting students and families

Perk #1: Provo Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 73%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $60,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Provo is $60,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $0 neutral cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Provo’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 95 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,554
• Property Tax %: 1.1%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,100
• Rent for an average house: $1,900
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Provo
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Provo, Orem, Vineyard, Pleasant-Grove, and probably could include Lindon
• Avg. Age of Homes in Provo: 28 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.1%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Provo’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Provo are  Education, Healthcare, and Technology
• Provo Job Scene: healthy job market focused on education and tech
• The General Tech Scene: developing tech community primarily focused on software development and education sectors , ,
• Provo Resident’s pay $1,100 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Provo: 7.25%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 70 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 5

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Provo

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-15 connects Provo to Salt Lake City and beyond
• Commute Time: 24 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic slowing on University Parkway
• Transportation Score: 28 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Provo: 70,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.6
• No. of Car Washes: 5 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Provo: dmv.utah.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 70 of 100
• Local Airport: Provo Municipal

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Provo’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
• General Weather in Provo is best described as cold winters warm summers with low humidity
• Winter Weather in Provo i’d describe as cold with snow
• Spring Weather in Provo can be described as mild with occasional rain
• Summer’s in Provo are mostly warm and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Provo is usually cool with sunny days
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 6 days in summer
• Days in a row in Provo below Freezing: 30
• Average Annual Rainfall: 14 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality generally maintained with few pollutants
• Provo Winter Air mixed air quality influenced by industrial emissions

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Provo Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Provo 1
• While the number of trade schools inside Provos’s city limits are 1
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Provo City Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Provo Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Provo only Doctors is about 25
• Local Hospitals here is  2
• Full-time Provo only Police Officers is about 100
• Crime Rate Index: 20/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Provo’s Monthly utility bill average is $100
• Provo’s Monthly Gym Membership: $40
• Provo’s Water Quality Score: 76

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Provo

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 5 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: home to a university with a strong community vibe and activities
• You might enjoy concerts at the Covey Center for the Arts
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Provo  has a friendly local vibe with bars and dining options catering to family-oriented social gatherings

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Provo

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features local cafes and a variety of casual dining
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 20 scattered around Provo
• The Popular Sports Team is Brigham Young Cougars
• Top Level Political Climate in Provo can be described as conservative community focused on family and religious values
• Provo’s Longer standing religious establishment is Provo Community Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Provo Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Provo has 20 Parks?
• Provo River Park is Provo’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Provo Farmers Market normally open Saturday 9am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and boating

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Provo Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Provo can be described as active college town with a strong focus on education and family
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Provo hiking local trails community gatherings attending festivals
• The Cities people commute to from Provo are Salt-Lake-City 16 miles away South-Jordan 11 miles away Sandy 15 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Provo or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic slowing on University Parkway. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Provo’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Provo is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Provo are Salt-Lake-City 16 miles away South-Jordan 11 miles away Sandy 15 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 20 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Provo has 30 days in a row below freezing and 6 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Provo people have an average (positive or negative) $0 neutral cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   300 homeless people living in Provo. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general conservative community focused on family and religious values could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Provo.

Retiree & Senior Life in Provo

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may benefit from property tax exemptions that cater to veterans and low incomes
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Abbington
• Provo Senior Center provides diverse activities health workshops and community resources for older adults

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Provo, Utah?

If Provo, Utah ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Provo, Utah, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!