Peoria vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Racine
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.4%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to $58,407 in Racine.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Peoria has the same purchasing power as $58,407 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $96,307 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Racine
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 149 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $126,000. The $369,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Peoria compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Peoria and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Peoria vs $461/month in Racine. 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 106 in Peoria and 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Peoria vs $376 in Racine. 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 86 in Peoria and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $97,300 in Peoria and $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,106 and $65,568 respectively. Peoria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,270/month to housing in Peoria vs $1,346/month in Racine. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases