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

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

The Verdict

9.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.5%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to $82,895 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
42
Peoria
67
Springfield
Groceries
97
Peoria
94
Springfield
Utilities
103
Peoria
79
Springfield
Transportation
108
Peoria
90
Springfield
Healthcare
107
Peoria
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Peoria has the same purchasing power as $82,895 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $67,857 in Peoria.

Living in Peoria vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $225,000. The $61,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $447/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 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $316 in Springfield. 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 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 9.5% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,895 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 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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