Champaign vs Orlando
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Orlando
The Verdict
Living in Champaign costs 19.0% less than Orlando. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $92,593 in Orlando.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $92,593 in Orlando.
Conversely, $75,000 in Orlando equals $60,750 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Orlando
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Orlando's 104, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $320,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,650/mo in Orlando, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 103 in Orlando. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $489/month in Orlando. 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 106 in Champaign and 97 in Orlando. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $388 in Orlando. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 96 in Orlando. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $48,080 in Orlando. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $48,080 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,122/month in Orlando. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Orlando, median rent of $1,650/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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