Salary Needed to Live in Provo as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $56,686/year to live comfortably in Provo, UT, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $56,686/year to live comfortably in Provo, UT. The bare-minimum salary is $48,921/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,359.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,976/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,724/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$56,686
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$48,921
$4,077/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,976
16% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Provo
| Expense | Provo | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $835 | $1,351 | -38% |
| Groceries | $326 | $207 | +57% |
| Utilities | $154 | $169 | -9% |
| Transportation | $323 | $316 | +2% |
| Car Insurance | $195 | $215 | -9% |
| Health Insurance | $459 | $642 | -29% |
| Internet | $69 | $65 | +6% |
| Phone | $90 | $85 | +6% |
| Dining & Social | $318 | $300 | +6% |
| Entertainment | $127 | $120 | +6% |
| Personal Care | $80 | $75 | +7% |
| Total Monthly | $2,976 | $3,545 | -16% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,976
Target savings (10%):$383/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,359
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$56,686
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$835
Studio/1BR rent is 28% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus UT state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$383/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
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $835/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $684/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $48,921/year as the survival floor and $56,686/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Provo
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Provo?
A single person needs approximately $56,686/year ($4,724/month gross) to live comfortably in Provo with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Provo?
A studio/1br in Provo costs approximately $835/month, which is the largest single expense at 28% of the total budget.
Is Provo affordable for a single person?
Yes, Provo is 16% more affordable than the national average for a single person.