Peoria, IL vs Wheeling, IL

The cost of living difference between Peoria, IL and Wheeling, IL is dramatic. Peoria is 30.4% cheaper than Wheeling, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Peoria has a cost index of 72 while Wheeling sits at 104, 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 $951/month compared to $1,578/month in Wheeling — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Peoria is more affordable at $149,500 median vs $244,600.

Median household income in Peoria is $58,716 compared to $83,251 in Wheeling (-29.5%). The higher salaries in Wheeling partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Peoria spend roughly 19.4% of their income on rent, less than the 22.7% in Wheeling.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.7°F vs 50.8°F). Peoria receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 32.3" in Wheeling.