Brownsville vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Brownsville
Peoria
The Verdict
Brownsville is 1.3% less expensive than Peoria overall. A household earning $75,000 in Brownsville would need approximately $76,000 in Peoria to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $76,000 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $74,013 in Brownsville.
Living in Brownsville vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Brownsville's housing index of 58 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $164,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $461/month in Peoria. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville 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 92 in Brownsville and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,100 in Brownsville and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 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 $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/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 Utilities, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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