⚖️ City Comparison

Oakland vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data

Oakland

California
165
Extremely Expensive
$780,000
Median Home
$2,700/mo
Median Rent
$73,692
Median Income

Peoria

Illinois
94
Below Average
$258,000
Median Home
$1,090/mo
Median Rent
$50,300
Median Income

💡 The Verdict

43% Cheaper

Peoria is 43% cheaper than Oakland overall. A $75,000 salary in Oakland is equivalent to $42,727 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values for Oakland (left) vs Peoria (right). National average = 100.

Housing
264
Housing
84
Groceries
109
Groceries
87
Utilities
118
Utilities
88
Transportation
113
Transportation
96
Healthcare
113
Healthcare
90

Detailed Price Comparison

Estimated item-level prices in Oakland versus Peoria. Differences shown from Oakland perspective.

ItemOaklandPeoriaDifference
1-Bed Rent$2,010/mo$820/mo+$1190.00
2-Bed Rent$2,700/mo$1,090/mo+$1610.00
3-Bed Rent$3,440/mo$1,430/mo+$2010.00
Bread (loaf)$3.14$2.61+$0.53
Milk (gallon)$4.54$3.67+$0.87
Eggs (dozen)$3.65$2.62+$1.03
Coffee (latte)$6.17$4.75+$1.42
Gas (gallon)$3.61$3.23+$0.38
Restaurant Meal$22.64$13.02+$9.62

💰 Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Oakland has the same purchasing power as $42,727 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $131,649 in Oakland.

💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison

Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.

$52,987
Oakland (California)
$53,962
Peoria (Illinois)

The $975 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. California details → · Illinois details →

⚙️ Customize Your Comparison

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165 vs 94

Reading These Numbers: Oakland (165) vs Peoria (94)

Oakland at 165 is 65% above the US average, while Peoria at 94 is 6% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

In Oakland, the composite index of 165 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 264, followed by groceries (109), utilities (118), transportation (113), and healthcare (113). Housing is the primary cost driver here.

For renters: With median rents of $2,700/mo in Oakland and $1,090/mo in Peoria, the annual rent difference is approximately $19,320.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $96,600.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $522,000.0 difference in median home prices between Oakland and Peoria translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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Making Your Decision: Oakland vs Peoria

Choosing between Oakland and Peoria involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.

Long-term affordability in Oakland versus Peoria depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.