Peoria vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Rockford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.8%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to $77,961 in Rockford.
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 $77,961 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $72,152 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Rockford's 52, 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 $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $470/month in Rockford. 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 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $368 in Rockford. 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 106 in Rockford. 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 $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $67,468 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 $1,244/month in Rockford. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases