Peoria vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 26.9%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to $102,632 in Wilmington.
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 $102,632 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $54,808 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $235,000. The $71,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Peoria vs $489/month in Wilmington. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 103 in Peoria and 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $424 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 107 in Peoria and 106 in Wilmington. 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 $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 and $44,731 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 $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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