Peoria vs Tacoma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Tacoma
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.4%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to $77,655 in Tacoma.
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 $77,655 in Tacoma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $72,436 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Tacoma
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 149 is higher Tacoma's 140, 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 $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Peoria and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Peoria vs $499/month in Tacoma. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Peoria and 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Peoria vs $432 in Tacoma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 86 in Peoria and 106 in Tacoma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,106 and $50,405 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 $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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