City Comparison

Peoria vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Peoria

Illinois
76
Very Affordable
$164,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$58,700
Median Income

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

2.6%

Living in Peoria costs 2.6% less than Springfield. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Peoria, you would need $76,974 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
42
Peoria
52
Springfield
Groceries
97
Peoria
98
Springfield
Utilities
103
Peoria
98
Springfield
Transportation
108
Peoria
114
Springfield
Healthcare
107
Peoria
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Peoria has the same purchasing power as $76,974 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $73,077 in Peoria.

Living in Peoria vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $162,000. The $2,000 difference in home prices means roughly $132 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $466/month in Springfield. 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 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 107 in Peoria and 91 in Springfield. 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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,370/month to housing in Peoria vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/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

Peoria is 2.6% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 78.
A $75,000 salary in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,974 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Peoria's housing index is 42 with median homes at $164,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases