City Comparison

Little Rock vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Little Rock

Arkansas
84
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$47,638
Median Income

Peoria

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

The Verdict

10.5%

Living in Peoria costs 10.5% less than Little Rock. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Little Rock, you would need $67,857 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Little Rock
42
Peoria
Groceries
94
Little Rock
97
Peoria
Utilities
88
Little Rock
103
Peoria
Transportation
98
Little Rock
108
Peoria
Healthcare
90
Little Rock
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $67,857 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $82,895 in Little Rock.

Living in Little Rock vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Little Rock's housing index of 62 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $164,000. The $6,000 difference in home prices means roughly $396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock 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 88 in Little Rock and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock 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 90 in Little Rock and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $47,638 in Little Rock and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 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 $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/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 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 10.5% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,857 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Little Rock's housing index is 62 with median homes at $170,000, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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