Lancaster vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lancaster
Peoria
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 11.5%, with Lancaster being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lancaster has equivalent purchasing power to $84,750 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lancaster has the same purchasing power as $84,750 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $66,372 in Lancaster.
Living in Lancaster vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Lancaster's housing index of 67 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $495,000. The $270,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Lancaster compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Lancaster and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Lancaster 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 110 in Lancaster and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Lancaster vs $424 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lancaster and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $63,700 in Lancaster and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,700 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 $1,486/month to housing in Lancaster vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Lancaster, median rent of $1,175/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 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases