Abilene vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Peoria
The Verdict
Living in Peoria costs 5.3% less than Abilene. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $71,250 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $71,250 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $78,947 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $164,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $461/month in Peoria. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $412 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $77,237 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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