Peoria vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Rochester
The Verdict
Living in Peoria costs 19.1% less than Rochester. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Peoria, you would need $92,763 in Rochester.
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 $92,763 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $60,638 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Rochester's 73, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $155,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $1,000/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 101 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $480/month in Rochester. 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 105 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $420 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 107 in Peoria and 100 in Rochester. 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 $39,728 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $42,264 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 $927/month in Rochester. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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