Anchorage vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Anchorage
Peoria
The Verdict
Living in Peoria costs 67.1% less than Anchorage. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $44,882 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Anchorage has the same purchasing power as $44,882 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $125,329 in Anchorage.
Living in Anchorage vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Anchorage's housing index of 142 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $164,000. The $176,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,436 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Anchorage compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 120 in Anchorage and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $570/month in Anchorage vs $461/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1308/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 130 in Anchorage and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $520 in Anchorage vs $412 in Peoria. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 128 in Anchorage and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $72,515 in Anchorage and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,098 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 $1,692/month to housing in Anchorage vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Anchorage, median rent of $1,400/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 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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