Albuquerque vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque
Peoria
The Verdict
Peoria is 21.1% less expensive than Albuquerque overall. A household earning $75,000 in Albuquerque would need approximately $61,957 in Peoria to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $61,957 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $90,789 in Albuquerque.
Living in Albuquerque vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $164,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque vs $461/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 95 in Albuquerque and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $412 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,911 in Albuquerque and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 and $77,237 respectively. Peoria residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/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 Housing, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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