City Comparison

Peoria vs Roanoke

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Peoria

Illinois
76
Very Affordable
$164,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$58,700
Median Income

Roanoke

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$52,700
Median Income

The Verdict

6.2%

Living in Peoria costs 6.2% less than Roanoke. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Peoria, you would need $79,934 in Roanoke.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
42
Peoria
57
Roanoke
Groceries
97
Peoria
97
Roanoke
Utilities
103
Peoria
116
Roanoke
Transportation
108
Peoria
98
Roanoke
Healthcare
107
Peoria
91
Roanoke

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Peoria has the same purchasing power as $79,934 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $70,370 in Peoria.

Living in Peoria vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $225,000. The $61,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 103 in Peoria and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $464 in Roanoke. 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 107 in Peoria and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $58,700 in Peoria and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $65,062 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 6.2% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 81.
A $75,000 salary in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,934 in Roanoke, based on the cost of living difference.
Peoria's housing index is 42 with median homes at $164,000, while Roanoke's is 57 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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