City Comparison

Lexington vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

Peoria

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

The Verdict

22.4%

Living in Peoria costs 22.4% less than Lexington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lexington, you would need $61,290 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
42
Peoria
Groceries
96
Lexington
97
Peoria
Utilities
91
Lexington
103
Peoria
Transportation
98
Lexington
108
Peoria
Healthcare
94
Lexington
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $61,290 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $91,776 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $164,000. The $81,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,268 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington 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 Lexington and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington 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 94 in Lexington and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,648 in Lexington and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 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 $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Lexington, 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 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 22.4% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,290 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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