Peoria vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Sparks
The Verdict
Living in Peoria costs 36.1% less than Sparks. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Peoria, you would need $117,434 in Sparks.
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 $117,434 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $47,899 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $500,000. The $336,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $489/month in Sparks. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 103 in Peoria and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $360 in Sparks. 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 88 in Sparks. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $56,471 respectively. Peoria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,370/month to housing in Peoria vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Sparks, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 120 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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