Can I Afford to Live in Provo vs El Paso on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Provo, UT
$5,929/mo take-home
Rent: $1,400/mo (24% of take-home)
Comfortable
El Paso, TX
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $1,050/mo (17% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Provo
UT
El Paso
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,929
$6,321Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,400
$1,050Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$372
$346Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$62
$40Best ✓
Utilities
$148Best ✓
$175
Internet
$63
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$3,884/month
$4,650/month
El Paso (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Provo (UT rate: 4.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Provo?

At $100K/year in Provo, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,929. With 1BR rent around $1,400/month, rent takes up 24% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in El Paso?

At $100K/year in El Paso, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $1,050/month, rent takes up 17% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

El Paso leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,650/month vs $3,884/month in Provo.

Can I afford to live alone in Provo on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in Provo, rent takes 24% of your take-home, leaving $3,884/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Provo vs El Paso

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only