City Comparison

Peoria vs Washington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Peoria

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

Washington

District of Columbia
152
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,300/mo
Median Rent
$90,842
Median Income

The Verdict

50.0%

Living in Peoria costs 50.0% less than Washington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Peoria, you would need $150,000 in Washington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
42
Peoria
226
Washington
Groceries
97
Peoria
108
Washington
Utilities
103
Peoria
118
Washington
Transportation
108
Peoria
109
Washington
Healthcare
107
Peoria
105
Washington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Peoria has the same purchasing power as $150,000 in Washington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Washington equals $37,500 in Peoria.

Living in Peoria vs Washington

Housing Costs

Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Washington's 226, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $580,000. The $416,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,036 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $2,300/mo in Washington, a monthly difference of $1,300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 108 in Washington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $513/month in Washington. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 103 in Peoria and 118 in Washington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $472 in Washington. 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 105 in Washington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $58,700 in Peoria and $90,842 in Washington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $59,764 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 $2,120/month in Washington. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Washington, median rent of $2,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 184 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 50.0% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $150,000 in Washington, based on the cost of living difference.
Peoria's housing index is 42 with median homes at $164,000, while Washington's is 226 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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