Peoria vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Scranton
The Verdict
Peoria is 15.6% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Peoria would need approximately $88,816 in Scranton to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $88,816 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $63,333 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $195,000. The $31,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,016 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $466/month in Scranton. 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 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 107 in Peoria and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $55,000 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 $1,155/month in Scranton. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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