Champaign vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Vienna
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 8.0%, with Champaign being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to $81,481 in Vienna.
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 $81,481 in Vienna.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $69,034 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Vienna
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $395,000. The $180,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,700 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 82 in Vienna. 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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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