Peoria vs Philadelphia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Philadelphia
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.3%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to $104,605 in Philadelphia.
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 $104,605 in Philadelphia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $53,774 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Philadelphia
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $240,000. The $76,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,944 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $1,400/mo in Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $494/month in Philadelphia. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 103 in Peoria and 113 in Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $452 in Philadelphia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 107 in Peoria and 101 in Philadelphia. 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 $58,700 in Peoria and $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $46,346 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 $1,370/month to housing in Peoria vs $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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