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Home / Hourly Rates / $21 Per Hour / Utah / Provo Paycheck
PAYCHECK & TAX BREAKDOWN

$21 an Hour is How Much a Year in Provo, UT?

An hourly pay rate of $21/hr in Provo, UT translates to $43,680 in gross yearly earnings based on full-time work of 2,080 annual hours before taxes.

Gross Annual $43,680 52 weeks @ 40 hrs
Gross Monthly $3,640 ~166.6 hours/month
Gross Weekly $840 40 hours/week
Overtime Rate (1.5x) $31.50 per hour after 40 hrs
Provo Affordability 74/100 Moderate — Mid Cost of Living
Provo Cost of Living Mid Cost of Living
Avg 1BR Rent in Provo 30% Rule: $1,092/mo budget
$1,470/mo $378 over budget ✗
Provo Median Wage BLS Local Area Estimate
$23.63/hr -11.1% below local median

How Much is $21 an Hour After Taxes in Provo, UT?

Adjust hours, state, or filing status to calculate custom net take-home pay.

Weekly Hours: 40 hrs/wk
10 hrs (Part-time) 40 hrs (Full-time) 80 hrs
hrs/wk
Estimated Net Take-Home
$35,093.44

per year after Federal, FICA & State Taxes


Monthly Net $2,924.45
Bi-Weekly Net $1,349.75

Estimated Tax Breakdown ($43,680 Gross)

Federal Income Tax (~7.5%) $3,257.6
FICA Tax (Social Security & Medicare 7.65%) $3,341.52
Utah State Tax (~4.5%) $1,987.44
*Estimates based on 2026/2027 IRS tax brackets with standard deduction. ✓ IRS Publication 15-T Verified
Provo Real Purchasing Power (COL-Adjusted) ↑ 102% of National Average
$35,795 COL-Adj. Annual
$2,983 COL-Adj. Monthly
$17.21/hr Real Wage Equiv.

Your $35,093.44 net pay in Provo has the equivalent purchasing power of $35,795/yr nationally due to Provo's MCOL cost-of-living tier — $701.56 more than the same salary in an average U.S. city.

Full Tax & Paycheck Breakdown

For the complete gross-to-net pay matrix, tax calculation, and PTO comparison for $21.00/hr in Utah:

Utah Full Breakdown →

Cheaper Alternatives to Provo in Utah

Earning $21.00/hr in Provo is tight on housing. These Utah cities offer better rent-to-income ratios.

Safe Rent Budget: $1,092/mo (30% of gross)
City Avg 1BR Rent vs 30% Budget Needs Leftover Local Median Wage Housing Verdict
Ogden $1,120/mo $28 over +$342/mo $18.00/hr ⚠️ Tight
Sandy $1,204/mo $112 over +$258/mo $19.35/hr ⚠️ Tight
Orem $1,288/mo $196 over +$174/mo $20.70/hr ⚠️ Tight
West Jordan $1,372/mo $280 over +$90/mo $22.05/hr ⚠️ Tight
Provo ← You $1,470/mo $378 over -$8/mo $23.63/hr ⚠️ Tight

*Needs Leftover = 50% of net pay ($1,462/mo) minus city average rent. Positive = comfortable; negative = rent strain.

City Report

Is $21.00/hr a Living Wage in Provo, UT?

Full monthly expense breakdown based on Provo cost-of-living data and BLS Consumer Expenditure benchmarks.

Living Wage Confirmed in Provo

$21.00/hr covers all estimated living costs in Provo with $164/mo surplus.

Provo (MCOL) living wage threshold: $19.50/hr — your wage is $1.50/hr above this threshold.

Estimated Monthly Expenses in Provo

Expense Category Amount Share
Avg 1BR Rent — Provo $1,470 50.3% of net
Groceries & Food $420 14.4% of net
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet) $140 4.8% of net
Transportation (Gas, Insurance, Transit) $350 12.0% of net
Healthcare & Insurance $220 7.5% of net
Personal & Miscellaneous $160 5.5% of net
Total Monthly Expenses $2,760 $164 surplus
Your Monthly Net Pay $2,924.45 100%

Provo Wage Percentile

$23.63/hr Provo Median Wage
$21.00/hr Your Hourly Rate
Bottom 47% of Provo Earners
81% of U.S. Median Income

Savings Milestones in Provo

Monthly Savings Capacity (20% of net) $585/mo
3-Month Emergency Fund Target $8,773
Months to Build Emergency Fund 15 months
20% Down Payment on Provo Median Home $70,560
Months to Save for Down Payment 7 months
50/30/20 BUDGET ALLOCATION

50/30/20 Budget Rule for $21/hr in Provo, UT

Based on estimated monthly take-home pay of $2,924.45 after taxes.

⚠️
Provo, UT Rent Deficit Warning ($378/mo Over Budget)

Average 1-bedroom rent in Provo ($1,470/mo) exceeds your 30% safe rent limit ($1,092/mo) by $378/month. Living with roommates or adjusting lifestyle wants is recommended in Provo.

Needs (50%) Essential
$1,462.22

Deducting $1470/mo Provo rent leaves $-7.78/mo for groceries & bills.

Wants (30%) Lifestyle
$877.33

Dining out, Hobbies & Subscriptions

Savings & Debt (20%) Wealth
$584.89

Emergency fund, Investments

Housing Affordability

How Much Rent Can You Afford on $21/hr in Provo, UT?

Financial experts recommend spending no more than 30% of your gross income on housing.

Recommended Max Monthly Rent
$1,092 / mo
Based on the 30% gross rule ($3,640 x 0.30).
Ideal Rent Range: $837.2 - $1,092/mo
Max Stretch Rent (Take-home 40%): Up to $1,169.78/mo
Provo Average 1BR Rent Benchmark: $1,470/month
Average Provo rent ($1470/mo) exceeds your 50% Needs budget by $7.78/mo.

Detailed Analysis: Is $21.00 an Hour a Good Wage?

At an hourly pay rate of $21/hr in Provo, UT, an individual generates approximately $43,680 in gross annual earnings over a standard work schedule. In Provo, the local median individual wage sits at $23.63/hr, meaning your $21/hr rate represents a 11.1% discount compared to local peers. In comparison to nationwide median benchmarks, this rate provides a strong financial baseline.

Take-Home Pay & Net Cash Flow Analysis

After payroll tax withholdings, a $21/hr compensation package leaves you with a post-tax disposable income of approximately $35,093 per year in Provo, UT after statutory Federal withholdings.

Housing Affordability & Safe Rent Guidance

Financial advisors generally recommend capping housing expenditures at 30% of gross earnings. For a worker earning $21 per hour in Provo, UT ($3,640/mo gross), this establishes an ideal rent ceiling of $1,092 per month. With the local average 1-bedroom rent in Provo sitting at $1470/mo, spending $1,092/mo safe limit requires roommates to avoid severe housing cost burden.

50/30/20 Monthly Budget Allocation

Structuring your $2,924 net monthly income using the 50/30/20 rule yields: $1,462/mo dedicated to mandatory living costs, $877/mo reserved for discretionary spending, and $585/mo directed into savings. Under this structure, average Provo rent ($1470/mo) consumes the entire Needs budget and leaves a deficit of $8/mo.

Provo Local Median Wage Benchmark ($23.63/hr) -11% Below Local Median
U.S. National Individual Median Income ($54,000/yr) -19% vs National Median

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is $21 an hour per year working full-time in Provo, UT?

Earning $21/hr working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks (2,080 annual hours) in Provo, UT yields a total gross annual salary of $43,680 before tax deductions.

What is the net annual take-home pay for $21 an hour in Provo, UT?

After Federal income tax, 7.65% FICA tax, and estimated Provo, UT state taxes, an hourly wage of $21/hr results in an estimated net take-home pay of $35,093 per year.

How much rent can I afford in Provo, UT earning $21 an hour?

Based on the 30% gross income housing rule ($3,640/mo gross x 0.30), the recommended maximum monthly rent for $21/hr in Provo, UT is $1,092/month. Sibling city rent averages are compared on this page.

Salary Paycheck Period

Compare different paycheck frequencies for this exact hourly rate.

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