City Comparison

Huntsville vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Huntsville

Alabama
91
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,098
Median Income

Peoria

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

The Verdict

19.7%

Living in Peoria costs 19.7% less than Huntsville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Huntsville, you would need $62,637 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
79
Huntsville
42
Peoria
Groceries
96
Huntsville
97
Peoria
Utilities
91
Huntsville
103
Peoria
Transportation
98
Huntsville
108
Peoria
Healthcare
93
Huntsville
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has the same purchasing power as $62,637 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $89,803 in Huntsville.

Living in Huntsville vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Huntsville's housing index of 79 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: $1,200/mo in Huntsville compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Huntsville and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Huntsville 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 91 in Huntsville and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Huntsville 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 93 in Huntsville and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,098 in Huntsville and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,646 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 $1,309/month to housing in Huntsville vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Huntsville, median rent of $1,200/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 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 19.7% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,637 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Huntsville's housing index is 79 with median homes at $260,000, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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