Centralia, IL vs Pekin, IL

Centralia, IL and Pekin, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Centralia scores 63 while Pekin scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Centralia is $775/month compared to $792/month in Pekin — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Centralia is more affordable at $81,600 median vs $118,200.

Median household income in Centralia is $47,308 compared to $58,355 in Pekin (-18.9%). While Pekin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Centralia spend roughly 19.7% of their income on rent, more than the 16.3% in Pekin.