Peoria vs Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Salem
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 8.7%, with Salem being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to $69,027 in Salem.
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 $69,027 in Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salem equals $81,490 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Salem
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 149 is higher Salem's 118, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $400,000. 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: $1,725/mo in Peoria compared to $1,275/mo in Salem, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Peoria and 100 in Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Peoria vs $475/month in Salem. 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 97 in Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Peoria vs $388 in Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 86 in Peoria and 100 in Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $66,400 in Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,106 and $63,846 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 $1,549/month in Salem. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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