Charleston vs Peoria

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Charleston has the same purchasing power as $51,818 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $108,553 in Charleston.

Living in Charleston vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Charleston's housing index of 127 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: $1,600/mo in Charleston compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Charleston and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Charleston 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 99 in Charleston and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Charleston vs $412 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Charleston and 107 in Peoria. 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 $65,872 in Charleston and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,884 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 $1,537/month to housing in Charleston vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Charleston, median rent of $1,600/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 85 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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