Peoria, AZ vs Tucson, AZ

The cost of living difference between Peoria, AZ and Tucson, AZ is dramatic. Tucson is 45.3% cheaper than Peoria, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Peoria has a cost index of 125 while Tucson sits at 86, 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 Peoria is $1,743/month compared to $1,079/month in Tucson — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tucson is more affordable at $242,200 median vs $429,400.

Median household income in Peoria is $93,403 compared to $54,546 in Tucson (+71.2%). While Peoria is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Peoria spend roughly 22.4% of their income on rent, less than the 23.7% in Tucson.