Lincoln vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Peoria
The Verdict
Living in Peoria costs 22.4% less than Lincoln. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $61,290 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $61,290 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $91,776 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $164,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln 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 93 in Lincoln and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $412 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 107 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 $71,900 in Lincoln and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $77,237 respectively. Lincoln residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/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 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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