City Comparison

Peoria vs Toronto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Peoria

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

Toronto

Canada
93
Below Average
$615,000
Median Home
$1,825/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

The Verdict

18.3%

Living in Peoria costs 18.3% less than Toronto. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Peoria, you would need $91,776 in Toronto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
42
Peoria
132
Toronto
Groceries
97
Peoria
88
Toronto
Utilities
103
Peoria
85
Toronto
Transportation
108
Peoria
98
Toronto
Healthcare
107
Peoria
72
Toronto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Peoria has the same purchasing power as $91,776 in Toronto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $61,290 in Peoria.

Living in Peoria vs Toronto

Housing Costs

Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $615,000. The $451,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,316 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $418/month in Toronto. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 103 in Peoria and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $340 in Toronto. 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 72 in Toronto. 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 $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $59,140 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 $1,283/month in Toronto. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 90 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 18.3% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,776 in Toronto, based on the cost of living difference.
Peoria's housing index is 42 with median homes at $164,000, while Toronto's is 132 with median homes at $615,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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