Fort Collins vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Peoria
The Verdict
Peoria is 2.7% less expensive than Fort Collins overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Collins would need approximately $73,060 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 Fort Collins has the same purchasing power as $73,060 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $76,991 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $495,000. The $36,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,340 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins 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 87 in Fort Collins and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins 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 97 in Fort Collins and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $74,800 in Fort Collins and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 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 $1,745/month to housing in Fort Collins vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/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 Utilities, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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