City Comparison

Peoria vs Sydney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Peoria

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

Sydney

Australia
105
Average
$825,000
Median Home
$2,050/mo
Median Rent
$60,000
Median Income

The Verdict

27.6%

Peoria is 27.6% less expensive than Sydney overall. A household earning $75,000 in Peoria would need approximately $103,618 in Sydney to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
42
Peoria
142
Sydney
Groceries
97
Peoria
95
Sydney
Utilities
103
Peoria
98
Sydney
Transportation
108
Peoria
108
Sydney
Healthcare
107
Peoria
72
Sydney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Peoria has the same purchasing power as $103,618 in Sydney.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $54,286 in Peoria.

Living in Peoria vs Sydney

Housing Costs

Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $825,000. The $661,000 difference in home prices means roughly $42,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $1,050.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $451/month in Sydney. 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 Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 107 in Peoria and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 35-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 $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $57,143 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 $1,400/month in Sydney. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 27.6% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $103,618 in Sydney, based on the cost of living difference.
Peoria's housing index is 42 with median homes at $164,000, while Sydney's is 142 with median homes at $825,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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