Champaign vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Peoria
The Verdict
Peoria is 6.6% less expensive than Champaign overall. A household earning $75,000 in Champaign would need approximately $70,370 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 Champaign has the same purchasing power as $70,370 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $79,934 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $164,000. The $51,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,312 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $461/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 106 in Champaign and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $412 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 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 $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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