City Comparison

Lakewood vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lakewood

Colorado
133
Expensive
$574,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$83,800
Median Income

Peoria

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

The Verdict

75.0%

Living in Peoria costs 75.0% less than Lakewood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lakewood, you would need $42,857 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
188
Lakewood
42
Peoria
Groceries
101
Lakewood
97
Peoria
Utilities
85
Lakewood
103
Peoria
Transportation
114
Lakewood
108
Peoria
Healthcare
84
Lakewood
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $42,857 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $131,250 in Lakewood.

Living in Lakewood vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $164,000. The $410,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,652 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood 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 85 in Lakewood and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood 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 84 in Lakewood and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 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 $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/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 146 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 75.0% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 133.
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $42,857 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Lakewood's housing index is 188 with median homes at $574,000, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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