Montpelier vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montpelier
Peoria
The Verdict
Peoria is 3.5% less expensive than Montpelier overall. A household earning $75,000 in Montpelier would need approximately $72,436 in Peoria to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has the same purchasing power as $72,436 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $77,655 in Montpelier.
Living in Montpelier vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Montpelier's housing index of 131 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $375,000 vs $495,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Montpelier compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $466/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 123 in Montpelier and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier vs $424 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 107 in Montpelier and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $82,600 in Montpelier and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 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 $1,927/month to housing in Montpelier vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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