Peoria's 2026 cost of living is $2398 per month for singles and $5281 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Peoria are 3% lower than the U.S. national average and 38% lower than Illinois's state average.
This reflects a 1% increase from 2025.
The primary drivers of Peoria's cost of living are soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices.
See how Peoria's cost of living affects your budget or salary needs with Salary.com's free Cost of Living Calculator.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does Peoria's cost of living compare to the national average in 2026?
Living in Peoria is less expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 27.1 % lower at $875
per month for a single person and $1604 per month for a family of four.
Food expenses run 4.9 %
above average at $420
monthly for an individual and $1364 for a family,
while energy, transportation and healthcare costs are 7.3 % lower at about $811 per month
for one person and $1822 for a household.
These costs bring the total monthly expenses to $2106
for a single person and $4790 for a family of four,
making Peoria one of America's least expensive cities.
How does the cost of living compare when moving from other major cities to Peoria?
Peoria's 2025 cost of living is 95% lower than San Francisco,
48% less than Washington, 21% below Miami
, 16% lower than Chicago, 58% less than Boston
, and 81% below New York.
Essential for evaluating relocation costs and salary needs in Peoria.
Peoria (/piˈɔːriə/ pee-OR-ee-ə) is the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, and the largest city on the Illinois River. Established in 1691 by the French explorer Henri de Tonti, Peoria is the oldest European settlement in Illinois, and is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois (and the third largest outside the Chicago metropolitan area), with a population of 115,007. The Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 373,590 in 2011. Until 2018, Peoria was the global and national headquarters for Caterpillar Inc.,...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the cost of living in Peoria, IL
I love to be able to eat at restaurants and try different foods, if I include that along with groceries in my overall cost of living, how would I do in Peoria, IL?
In Peoria, Illinois going out to eat at a restaurant and buying food is considered to be affordable. Make sure you take this into account as you plan your overall cost of living in Peoria, IL. (2026-07-27salary.com)
I love to go to sports events, what does Peoria, Illinois have to offer?
Peoria, IL does not have a major sports team, but don’t worry, check out local colleges and high school sports schedules. These games usually have very cheap tickets and the spirit and enthusiasm of the crowd often makes up for the level of skill. (2026-07-27salary.com)
How much is the average price of internet in Peoria, IL?
The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. (2026-07-27salary.com)
Are there any tips that will help make the move to Peoria, Illinois easier for my child?
Make sure your child has a favorite toy, doll, game, clothing, blanket, snacks, etc. to take with them during the transition. Once you arrive, let your child help with arranging and decorating their new room. You may be tempted to unpack everything when you arrive, but make sure you take a break from unpacking to spend time playing and relaxing with your child. Plan on packing a special bag to take with you with those items that you will need first. Towels, soap, a few basic kitchen utensils and food items like crackers, tea, juice, will make your new location functional as soon as you arrive and fell more like home. A small new toy, book, or video that you give to your child when you arrive might help them to feel happy and relaxed in the new location. (2026-07-27salary.com)
Is the cost of electricity in Peoria, Illinois expected to change in the future?
The cost of electricity in Illinois has gone down by 3.011% in the past year. It is possible that electric rates may fluctuate depending on consumption rates, government regulations and even the weather. (2026-07-27salary.com)
My kids are important, how much of my cost of living should I estimate I will need to spend on child care in Peoria, IL?
The estimated average annual cost for child care in Peoria, Illinois (based on state average), is $12964. This cost is ranked NO. 8 nationally. Some employers have company provided day care centers that let you bring your child to work with you and receive care on site. Some colleges and universities with Childhood Education programs also may have day care centers available at reduced costs, so you should explore those possibilities to see if you can reduce your child care expense. (2026-07-27salary.com)
What are rents like in Peoria,IL?
In Peoria,IL, my friend pays $665 for a large 2 bedroom apartment. Since he has 2 children, he needs to have a large apartment. (2026-07-27salary.com)
I need to keep my cost of living under control, is there a lot to do in Peoria, Illinois that is not very expensive?
Looks for areas of Peoria, Illinois where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Peoria, IL to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. (2026-07-27salary.com)
I know there are many types of taxes that contribute to the cost of living in Peoria, Illinois, will the overall tax expense be high or low?
Good question. Based on Individual income taxes (which you will pay on earnings), Sales taxes (pay for your purchases), property taxes (on your home or indirectly on your rent), unemployment insurance taxes (from your income), and general business taxes (impacting employers ability to offer jobs and good pay), in Peoria, the overall tax climate compared to the rest of the country is generally high. (2026-07-27salary.com)
Can you save money using public transport?
You could save up to $1,000 per year, depending on your location, by using public transport instead of driving. Not only will you reduce the stress of driving and finding a place to park once you reach your destination, your car and tires will last longer, and you will spend less on gas. A side benefit is that you may be able to relax, work, or read on the way to work, or get to know and chat with other commuters. Some employers offer employees reduced fee bus or transit passes, so check that out with your employer. (2026-07-27salary.com)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
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What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
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The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
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Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
