Peoria vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Waco
The Verdict
Peoria is 8.4% less expensive than Waco overall. A household earning $75,000 in Peoria would need approximately $81,908 in Waco to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $81,908 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $68,675 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Waco
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $230,000. The $66,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $451/month in Waco. 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 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 107 in Peoria and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $59,639 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 $1,155/month in Waco. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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