Pekin, IL vs Plano, IL

The cost of living difference between Pekin, IL and Plano, IL is dramatic. Pekin is 36.6% cheaper than Plano, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Pekin has a cost index of 65 while Plano sits at 102, 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 Pekin is $792/month compared to $1,590/month in Plano — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pekin is more affordable at $118,200 median vs $221,100.

Median household income in Pekin is $58,355 compared to $83,102 in Plano (-29.8%). The higher salaries in Plano partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Pekin spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Plano.

Climate-wise, Pekin is notably warmer with an average of 52.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Plano. Pekin receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 33.8" in Plano.