Montgomery vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
Peoria
The Verdict
Living in Montgomery costs 30.1% less than Peoria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Montgomery, you would need $107,278 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $107,278 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $52,434 in Montgomery.
Living in Montgomery vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $495,000. The $333,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery 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 115 in Montgomery and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $424 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Montgomery and 86 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 $56,800 in Montgomery and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 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 $1,325/month to housing in Montgomery vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/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 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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