Peoria vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Waco
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 36.1%, with Waco being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to $55,088 in Waco.
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 $55,088 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $102,108 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Waco
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 149 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $230,000. The $265,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,220 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Peoria compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Peoria and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Peoria vs $451/month in Waco. 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 Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Peoria vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 86 in Peoria and 93 in Waco. 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 $97,300 in Peoria and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,106 and $59,639 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 $1,155/month in Waco. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases