City Comparison

Lincoln vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska
93
Below Average
$264,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$71,900
Median Income

Peoria

Arizona
113
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$97,300
Median Income

The Verdict

17.7%

Living in Lincoln costs 17.7% less than Peoria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $91,129 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Lincoln
149
Peoria
Groceries
98
Lincoln
98
Peoria
Utilities
93
Lincoln
106
Peoria
Transportation
97
Lincoln
95
Peoria
Healthcare
102
Lincoln
86
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $91,129 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $61,726 in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $495,000. The $231,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,012 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln 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 93 in Lincoln and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $424 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 102 in Lincoln and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $71,900 in Lincoln and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 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 $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/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 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lincoln is 17.7% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,129 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Lincoln's housing index is 77 with median homes at $264,000, while Peoria's is 149 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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