Meridian vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Meridian
Peoria
The Verdict
Living in Peoria costs 57.9% less than Meridian. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Meridian, you would need $47,500 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Meridian has the same purchasing power as $47,500 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $118,421 in Meridian.
Living in Meridian vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Meridian's housing index of 154 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $509,000 vs $164,000. The $345,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Meridian compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Meridian and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Meridian vs $461/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 86 in Meridian and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Meridian 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 103 in Meridian 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 $99,700 in Meridian and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,083 and $77,237 respectively. Meridian residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,326/month to housing in Meridian vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/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 112 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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