Provo is one of the fastest-growing cities in Utah and has become an attractive prospect for tenants from all backgrounds. Before you start to search listings or email an estate agent about individual properties, you must consider where you want to live. Researching the most affordable neighborhoods in Provo is the perfect place to start.
This quick guide will help you learn about the most popular neighborhoods for modern tenants. Whether looking to find apartments to rent or a house for your growing family, here’s all you need to know.
Why Choose Provo For Affordable Neighborhoods?
When looking for a home to rent, it always makes sense to choose a location that is kind to your budget. It enables you to get more for your money, thus facilitating a better quality of life while simultaneously giving you the opportunity to save for a downpayment on a future house – should that be your long-term goal.
Plenty of cities offer affordable homes to rent, but Provo stands out as one of the best. Here are just some of the reasons to choose Happy Valley as the place to live;
- As the Happy Valley nickname suggests, it is a place surrounded by natural beauty. Mountain views, Utah Lake, and Provo Canyon provide the perfect backdrop for daily life while also supporting active lifestyles.
- Average rental prices are around $1,250 per month, which is fair. Meanwhile, average property prices are $473,000, which is a pleasing figure to anyone looking to rent in a location where they’ll eventually buy.
- Provo combines natural beauty with the best aspects of urban city life while still boasting a low crime rate. The city is also less than 50 miles from Salt Lake City while Provo Airport provides easy access to other destinations.
Provo, UT, is considered a good location, especially for families seeking high-quality living at an affordable price. Choose one of the best value neighborhoods, and it will provide the perfect foundation for the next chapter in your life. Let’s look at some of the leading contenders.
Downtown Provo
Downtown Provo instantly stands out as one of the best neighborhoods for affordable living, not least because there are dozens of properties available for rent at any time. Its proximity to Freedom Center Plaza, Provo Town Square, and Rocky Mountain University gives it an added appeal for those who seek educational opportunities and/or a great social lifestyle that is heavily influenced by the arts scene and a “dry” setting.
The neighborhood is also noted for exceptional food, fun activities, and strong career opportunities. So, it shares many of the best features Salt Lake City has to offer, only at a far lower price. This makes it great for people who want city life on a budget. Its historic district is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
With this in mind, there are many pretty buildings in the area. Whether seeking a historic 19th-century house with character or modern apartments, you can find them here. Meanwhile, the Silicone Slopes area is bursting with opportunities in the tech industry. Immediate access to Provo Canyon is further supported by Peaks Ice Arena, Pioneer Park, and more. It is one of the most in-demand neighborhoods of the region for good reason.
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a self-contained area taking up an area of 738 acres. Unsurprisingly, it is largely focused on the BYU campus, making it the obvious place to live for students who attend the university. Naturally, then, renting is commonplace while the primary demographics are young adults.
BYU is considered a central focus of the city while it is located at the base of Wasatch Range. student housing and apartments are predominantly found to the north and west of the campus. Brigham Young University is also widely considered to be the top university town in Utah.
The neighborhood community naturally reflects the heavy focus on students and young adults. BYU is considered a religious institution at heart while its honor code supports an inclusive atmosphere that extends to all aspects of life as well as time spent on campus. The campus regularly ranks high on the list of academic institutions with happy students. This can be attributed to the blend of urban living and beautiful backdrops, as well as great affordability.
Price of apartments: Around $400-$800 with roommates, or $6,500-$2,500 for luxury.
Utah Valley University
The Utah Valley University neighborhood is actually located in Orem, which is just a few kilometers north of Provo. Like BYU, it naturally attracts a lot of students while the market for rental properties is dominated by apartments. These range from budget apartments and house shares with roommates to luxury living spaces. There is something for all students but there are no on-campus housing boundaries, which leads to them living in surrounding areas.
UVU as a neighborhood is considered a part of the Silicone Slopes, which influences post-grad opportunities as well as some of the courses taught. It is also considered a suburban, family-friendly area. So, while students play a key role, it’s not as noticeable as at BYU.
The area is rapidly growing but tenants can still find townhomes and historic apartments, as well as more modern living spaces. The area still supports the outdoors lifestyle with nearby nature attractions. The university takes in 48,000 students each year, highlighting the energy of the neighborhood. Whether moving for study or the general lifestyle, it remains a popular choice for young adults and families alike.
Average rentals: $1,350 per month. From around $350 for a shared room in walking distance.
Timp
Timp is regularly ranked as one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Utah. Average home prices are around $270,000, which is cheap compared to most. This is then reflected in the retinal costs of apartments as well as houses aimed at families. Despite the cheap costs, Timp remains one of the Beehive State’s most attractive places to live.
The neighborhood takes its name from the nearby Mount Timpanogos, which naturally presents a host of outdoor lifestyle options including trails and the Timpanogos Cave National Monument. While Utah is typically one of the driest parts of America, Timp’s cold, high-alpine mountain climate provides noticeably cooler temperatures than nearby places like Utah Valley.
Year-round activity and a supportive community vibe make it an attractive neighborhood for families and senior living alike. The area is rapidly growing too, leading to better transport links and activities. As one of the most accessible entry points for homeowners, the neighborhood additionally attracts young couples looking to start families. Tenants looking to rent in a neighborhood that may subsequently become where they buy a home could do far worse.
Average rentals: A little over$1,650 per month, reflecting the preference for houses.
Foothills
Foothills is another neighborhood located at the base of Wasatch Mountains. The beautiful scenic surroundings deliver a peaceful backdrop for residents while the average home price is significantly lower than the Provo average. This is reflected by rental prices while the community is a good mixture of homeowners and tenants.
Typically, there are more homes available for rent than sale. The neighborhood is very close to BYU, sitting just a short distance to the south east of the campus. While it is an affordable location, job opportunities are impressive with many specialized positions commanding six figures. It’s also safe and dog-friendly, although most residents find that having a car is essential.
Education at Wasatch School and Oak Spring School provide children with a good start while the subsequent university options are obvious. While there is a good educational system and career opportunities, as well as amenities, the population is only just over 5,000. Combined with its mountain base location, it is a great option for those who want a slightly quieter way of life while still feeling close to the city. There is an upscale feel to the community, underpinned by the high-quality construction of its rental properties.
Average prices: $1,200 for studio apartments, $2,000 for family homes.
Affordable Provo Neighborhoods FAQs
What Other Affordable Neighborhoods Are In Provo, UT?
Timp, Downtown Provo, Brigham Young University, and Utah Valley University stand out as the leading candidates but Provo has several other affordable neighborhoods. It is worth checking out; Joaquin, Dixon, North Park, Franklin, Carterville, Spring Creek, Riversgrove, Franklin South, and Central Business District for affordable apartments or family homes.
What Other Expenses Impact Overall Living Costs In Provo?
A cheap rental property gives you a solid starting point to manage your family budget. When calculating true living costs, however, you should consider transport to work and other related expenses like groceries, utilities, and local services.
What Are The Average Earnings In Provo?
Rental prices are only relevant if earning potential means that your overall family finances add up. The average salary in Provo is reportedly $73,000 while thriving industries include healthcare, tech, engineer, and corporate.
