Burlington vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Peoria
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 55.3%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $48,305 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $48,305 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $116,447 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 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: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $800.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $461/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington 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 116 in Burlington 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 $51,098 in Burlington and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 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 $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/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 97 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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