City Comparison

Elk Grove vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Elk Grove

California
144
Expensive
$608,000
Median Home
$1,975/mo
Median Rent
$123,200
Median Income

Peoria

Illinois
76
Very Affordable
$164,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$58,700
Median Income

The Verdict

89.5%

Living in Peoria costs 89.5% less than Elk Grove. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Elk Grove, you would need $39,583 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
221
Elk Grove
42
Peoria
Groceries
106
Elk Grove
97
Peoria
Utilities
115
Elk Grove
103
Peoria
Transportation
118
Elk Grove
108
Peoria
Healthcare
103
Elk Grove
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Elk Grove has the same purchasing power as $39,583 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $142,105 in Elk Grove.

Living in Elk Grove vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Elk Grove's housing index of 221 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $608,000 vs $164,000. The $444,000 difference in home prices means roughly $28,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,975/mo in Elk Grove compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $975.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Elk Grove and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Elk Grove vs $461/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Elk Grove and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Elk Grove vs $412 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 103 in Elk Grove 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 $123,200 in Elk Grove and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,556 and $77,237 respectively. Elk Grove residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,875/month to housing in Elk Grove vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Elk Grove, median rent of $1,975/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 Housing, where the gap is 179 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 89.5% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 144.
A $75,000 salary in Elk Grove has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $39,583 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Elk Grove's housing index is 221 with median homes at $608,000, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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