Fayetteville vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Peoria
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.3%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $104,630 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $104,630 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $53,761 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $495,000. The $282,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,336 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville 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 98 in Fayetteville and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $424 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $49,800 in Fayetteville and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 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 $1,162/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/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 97 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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