Peoria vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Roanoke
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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