City Comparison

New Orleans vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Orleans

Louisiana
97
Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$43,258
Median Income

Peoria

Arizona
113
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$97,300
Median Income

The Verdict

14.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.2%, with New Orleans being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in New Orleans has equivalent purchasing power to $87,371 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
95
New Orleans
149
Peoria
Groceries
99
New Orleans
98
Peoria
Utilities
91
New Orleans
106
Peoria
Transportation
103
New Orleans
95
Peoria
Healthcare
94
New Orleans
86
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Orleans has the same purchasing power as $87,371 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $64,381 in New Orleans.

Living in New Orleans vs Peoria

Housing Costs

New Orleans's housing index of 95 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $495,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in New Orleans compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in New Orleans and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in New Orleans 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 91 in New Orleans and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in New Orleans 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 94 in New Orleans 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 $43,258 in New Orleans and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,596 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 $1,009/month to housing in New Orleans vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In New Orleans, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Orleans is 14.2% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in New Orleans has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,371 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
New Orleans's housing index is 95 with median homes at $245,000, while Peoria's is 149 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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