Cost of Living: Cary, NC vs Peoria, IL (2026)

Cary

North Carolina
135
VS

Peoria

Illinois
61

Cary is 121% more expensive than Peoria.

$1,621/mo ↑ 70%
Median Rent
$951/mo ↓ 41%
$129,399/yr ↑ 120%
Median Income
$58,716/yr ↓ 55%
$525,200 ↑ 251%
Home Value
$149,500 ↓ 72%
$1,744/mo ↑ 73%
Owner Costs
$1,007/mo ↓ 42%
176,686
Population
112,126

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
4.95%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

15.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cary, NC and Peoria, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 135 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $670/month cheaper in Peoria, saving renters about $8,040/year.

Median household income is $70,683/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cary is $525,200 compared to $149,500 in Peoria.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Cary slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cary vs Peoria — common questions

Is Cary or Peoria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Peoria is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cary and Peoria?
Median rent in Cary is $1,621/month and in Peoria it's $951/month — a difference of $670/month.
Which city has higher income, Cary or Peoria?
Median household income is $129,399 in Cary and $58,716 in Peoria. Median household income is $70,683/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Illinois?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Cary or Peoria?
It depends on your priorities. Cary has a cost index of 135 with median rent of $1,621/mo, while Peoria has a cost index of 61 with rent of $951/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cary details → View Peoria details →

More Comparisons

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