Salary Needed to Live in Provo as a Retiree

A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $53,700/year to live comfortably in Provo, UT, including 5% savings.

Direct Answer

A retiree needs about $53,700/year to live comfortably in Provo, UT. The bare-minimum salary is $50,022/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,215.

The minimum scenario leaves about $3,043/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,475/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.

Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$53,700
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$50,022
$4,169/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,043
17% below national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Provo

ExpenseProvoNat'l AvgDiff
1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent$895$1,448-38%
Groceries$296$189+57%
Utilities$167$183-9%
Transportation$215$211+2%
Car Insurance$195$215-9%
Health Insurance$459$642-29%
Medicare Supplement$212$200+6%
Prescription Drugs$159$150+6%
Internet + Phone$127$120+6%
Recreation & Social$212$200+6%
Home Maintenance$106$100+6%
Total Monthly$3,043$3,658-17%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$3,043
Target savings (5%):$172/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,215
Effective tax rate:27%

Gross annual salary needed:$53,700

What Drives the Salary Number?

Housing
$895

1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 29% of this monthly budget.

Taxes
27%

Estimated federal plus UT state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.

Savings target
5%

$172/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.

Local index
106/100

Provo is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.

Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities

Colorado Springs, CO
$58,729/yr
$5,029 more than Provo
Chandler, AZ
$64,553/yr
$10,853 more than Provo
Las Vegas, NV
$59,294/yr
$5,594 more than Provo
Fresno, CA
$56,718/yr
$3,018 more than Provo

Salary Planning Checklist

  1. Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $895/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
  2. Budget $816/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
  3. Use $50,022/year as the survival floor and $53,700/year as the healthier negotiation target.

Other Household Types in Provo

Single Person
$56,686/yr
$2,976/mo expenses
Couple (No Kids)
$75,344/yr
$3,830/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$131,379/yr
$6,350/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in ProvoCity OverviewRent in ProvoMonthly BudgetAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a retiree need in Provo?
A retiree needs approximately $53,700/year ($4,475/month gross) to live comfortably in Provo with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Provo?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Provo costs approximately $895/month, which is the largest single expense at 29% of the total budget.
Is Provo affordable for a retiree?
Yes, Provo is 17% more affordable than the national average for a retiree.
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