Morgantown vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Morgantown
Peoria
The Verdict
Peoria is 18.4% less expensive than Morgantown overall. A household earning $75,000 in Morgantown would need approximately $63,333 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 Morgantown has the same purchasing power as $63,333 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $88,816 in Morgantown.
Living in Morgantown vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Morgantown's housing index of 81 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $259,000 vs $164,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Morgantown compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Morgantown and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Morgantown 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 91 in Morgantown and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Morgantown 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 88 in Morgantown and 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $44,700 in Morgantown and $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,667 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 $1,043/month to housing in Morgantown vs $1,370/month in Peoria. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/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 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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