Columbia, IL vs Pekin, IL

The cost of living difference between Columbia, IL and Pekin, IL is dramatic. Pekin is 39% cheaper than Columbia, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Columbia has a cost index of 90 while Pekin sits at 65, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Columbia is $1,089/month compared to $792/month in Pekin — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pekin is more affordable at $118,200 median vs $290,100.

Median household income in Columbia is $107,922 compared to $58,355 in Pekin (+84.9%). While Columbia is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Columbia spend roughly 12.1% of their income on rent, less than the 16.3% in Pekin.