City Comparison

Berlin vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Berlin

Germany
83
Very Affordable
$380,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

Peoria

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

The Verdict

9.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.2%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Berlin has equivalent purchasing power to $68,675 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
98
Berlin
42
Peoria
Groceries
80
Berlin
97
Peoria
Utilities
105
Berlin
103
Peoria
Transportation
95
Berlin
108
Peoria
Healthcare
78
Berlin
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Berlin has the same purchasing power as $68,675 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $81,908 in Berlin.

Living in Berlin vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Berlin's housing index of 98 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $164,000. The $216,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,040 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Berlin compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 80 in Berlin and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $380/month in Berlin vs $461/month in Peoria. Berlin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $972/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Berlin and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Berlin vs $412 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 78 in Berlin and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $46,000 in Berlin and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,422 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 $1,073/month to housing in Berlin vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Berlin, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 9.2% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 83.
A $75,000 salary in Berlin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,675 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Berlin's housing index is 98 with median homes at $380,000, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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