Montgomery vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
Peoria
The Verdict
Living in Peoria costs 3.9% less than Montgomery. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Montgomery, you would need $72,152 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 $72,152 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $77,961 in Montgomery.
Living in Montgomery vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Montgomery's housing index of 49 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $164,000. The $2,000 difference in home prices means roughly $132 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery 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 115 in Montgomery and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery 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 78 in Montgomery and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,800 in Montgomery and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 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 $1,325/month to housing in Montgomery vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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