City Comparison

Allentown vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania
98
Average
$232,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

Peoria

Illinois
76
Very Affordable
$164,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$58,700
Median Income

The Verdict

28.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 28.9%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to $58,163 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
109
Allentown
42
Peoria
Groceries
101
Allentown
97
Peoria
Utilities
102
Allentown
103
Peoria
Transportation
103
Allentown
108
Peoria
Healthcare
83
Allentown
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $58,163 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $96,711 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $164,000. The $68,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown 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 102 in Allentown and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $412 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,500 in Allentown and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 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 $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/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 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 28.9% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,163 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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