Cary vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Peoria
The Verdict
Living in Cary costs 6.2% less than Peoria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cary, you would need $79,953 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cary has the same purchasing power as $79,953 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $70,354 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $495,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $466/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 97 in Cary and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $424 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $117,400 in Cary and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $86,106 respectively. Cary residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,739/month to housing in Cary vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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