Alexandria vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Peoria
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.3%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $58,448 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $58,448 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $96,239 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $495,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $466/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $424 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $119,700 in Alexandria and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 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 $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. 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 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases