Fargo vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fargo
Peoria
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 22.4%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to $61,290 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fargo has the same purchasing power as $61,290 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $91,776 in Fargo.
Living in Fargo vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Fargo's housing index of 80 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $164,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo 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 92 in Fargo and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo 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 105 in Fargo 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 $55,218 in Fargo and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 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 $1,288/month to housing in Fargo vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/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 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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