City Comparison

Manchester vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Manchester

New Hampshire
118
Above Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,018
Median Income

Peoria

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

The Verdict

55.3%

Living in Peoria costs 55.3% less than Manchester. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Manchester, you would need $48,305 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Manchester
42
Peoria
Groceries
105
Manchester
97
Peoria
Utilities
114
Manchester
103
Peoria
Transportation
100
Manchester
108
Peoria
Healthcare
112
Manchester
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Manchester has the same purchasing power as $48,305 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $116,447 in Manchester.

Living in Manchester vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Manchester's housing index of 140 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $164,000. The $186,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Manchester compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Manchester and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Manchester vs $461/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 114 in Manchester and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $456 in Manchester 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 112 in Manchester 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 $65,018 in Manchester and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,100 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 $1,517/month to housing in Manchester vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 98 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 55.3% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $48,305 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Manchester's housing index is 140 with median homes at $350,000, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases