Columbia vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Columbia
Peoria
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.0%, with Columbia being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Columbia has equivalent purchasing power to $88,281 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Columbia has the same purchasing power as $88,281 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $63,717 in Columbia.
Living in Columbia vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Columbia's housing index of 88 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $495,000. The $285,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,528 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Columbia compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Columbia and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Columbia 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 Columbia and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Columbia vs $424 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Columbia and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $46,734 in Columbia and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,681 and $86,106 respectively. Peoria residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,090/month to housing in Columbia vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Columbia, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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