Albany vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albany
Peoria
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 12.4%, with Albany being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to $85,606 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $85,606 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $65,708 in Albany.
Living in Albany vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Albany's housing index of 93 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $495,000. The $275,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $466/month in Peoria. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $424 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $86,106 respectively. Peoria residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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