New Orleans vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Orleans
Peoria
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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