City Comparison

Bellevue vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

Peoria

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

The Verdict

107.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 107.9%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $36,076 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Bellevue
42
Peoria
Groceries
111
Bellevue
97
Peoria
Utilities
100
Bellevue
103
Peoria
Transportation
134
Bellevue
108
Peoria
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $36,076 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $155,921 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $164,000. The $1.1M difference in home prices means roughly $73,908 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $1,525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $461/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $792/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $412 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue 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 $169,200 in Bellevue and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $77,237 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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 207 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 107.9% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $36,076 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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