Dayton vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Peoria
The Verdict
Living in Peoria costs 5.3% less than Dayton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $71,250 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $71,250 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $78,947 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $164,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton 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 109 in Dayton and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $412 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton 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 $43,500 in Dayton and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Dayton, median rent of $900/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 Transportation, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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