Boulder vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boulder
Peoria
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 31.0%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Boulder has equivalent purchasing power to $57,264 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boulder has the same purchasing power as $57,264 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $98,230 in Boulder.
Living in Boulder vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Boulder's housing index of 230 is higher Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $495,000. The $255,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,572 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,300/mo in Boulder compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 107 in Boulder and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Boulder vs $466/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Boulder and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Boulder vs $424 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 104 in Boulder and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,123 in Boulder and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,407 and $86,106 respectively. Peoria residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,706/month to housing in Boulder vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Boulder, median rent of $2,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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