Boise vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Peoria
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 39.5%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Boise has equivalent purchasing power to $53,774 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boise has the same purchasing power as $53,774 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $104,605 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $164,000. The $256,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,644 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise 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 89 in Boise and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise 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 98 in Boise and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,818 in Boise and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 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 $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Boise, 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 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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