City Comparison

Jackson vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Jackson

Mississippi
82
Very Affordable
$125,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$36,528
Median Income

Peoria

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

The Verdict

7.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.9%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Jackson has equivalent purchasing power to $69,512 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
56
Jackson
42
Peoria
Groceries
95
Jackson
97
Peoria
Utilities
86
Jackson
103
Peoria
Transportation
97
Jackson
108
Peoria
Healthcare
88
Jackson
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Jackson has the same purchasing power as $69,512 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $80,921 in Jackson.

Living in Jackson vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Jackson's housing index of 56 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $125,000 vs $164,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Jackson compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Jackson and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Jackson 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 86 in Jackson and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Jackson 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 88 in Jackson and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $36,528 in Jackson and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,546 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 $852/month to housing in Jackson vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Jackson, median rent of $900/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 7.9% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 82.
A $75,000 salary in Jackson has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,512 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Jackson's housing index is 56 with median homes at $125,000, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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