Cost of Living: Santa Ana, CA vs Peoria, IL (2026)

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Peoria

Illinois
61

Santa Ana is 167% more expensive than Peoria.

$1,975/mo ↑ 108%
Median Rent
$951/mo ↓ 52%
$88,354/yr ↑ 50%
Median Income
$58,716/yr ↓ 34%
$657,800 ↑ 340%
Home Value
$149,500 ↓ 77%
$1,965/mo ↑ 95%
Owner Costs
$1,007/mo ↓ 49%
311,639
Population
112,126

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Peoria, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,024/month cheaper in Peoria, saving renters about $12,288/year.

Median household income is $29,638/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $149,500 in Peoria.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Peoria slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs Peoria — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Peoria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Peoria is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Peoria?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Peoria it's $951/month — a difference of $1,024/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Peoria?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $58,716 in Peoria. Median household income is $29,638/year higher in Santa Ana.
How do taxes compare between California and Illinois?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Ana or Peoria?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/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 Santa Ana details → View Peoria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and Peoria

Santa Ana vs. Orlando Santa Ana vs. Cincinnati Santa Ana vs. Riverside Santa Ana vs. Irvine Santa Ana vs. Corpus Christi Santa Ana vs. St. Paul Peoria vs. Pompano Beach Peoria vs. Downey Peoria vs. Lansing Peoria vs. Murrieta Peoria vs. Las Cruces Peoria vs. Pueblo