Columbus vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Columbus
Peoria
The Verdict
Columbus is 31.0% less expensive than Peoria overall. A household earning $75,000 in Columbus would need approximately $108,654 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 Columbus has the same purchasing power as $108,654 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $51,770 in Columbus.
Living in Columbus vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Columbus's housing index of 57 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $222,000 vs $495,000. The $273,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,748 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Columbus compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Columbus and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Columbus 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 86 in Columbus and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Columbus vs $424 in Peoria. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 85 in Columbus and 86 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 $58,100 in Columbus and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,487 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 $1,356/month to housing in Columbus vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Columbus, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. 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 92 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases