Labor Economics Arbitrage & Career Benchmarks

Boise City, ID vs. Peoria, IL Comparison (2026)

Empirical side-by-side analysis of regional cost of living, HUD fair market rents, statutory tax burdens, and occupational compensation spread.

Curated Head-to-Head Matchups
ID Market

Boise City, ID

Cost of Living Index: 121.3 · Flat Tax
All-Occupation Median (BLS) $49,100
HUD 1BR Rent$1,295/mo
Est. Take-Home$40,138/yr
Top State Tax Rate5.30%
Local Income Tax0.00%
Explore Boise City, ID Dossier
VS
IL Market

Peoria, IL

Cost of Living Index: 99.6 · Flat Tax
All-Occupation Median (BLS) $49,590
HUD 1BR Rent$961/mo
Est. Take-Home$39,716/yr
Top State Tax Rate4.95%
Local Income Tax0.00%
Explore Peoria, IL Dossier

Executive Takeaway & Purchasing Power Verdict

The BLS median wage across all occupations is $49,100 in Boise City, ID and $49,590 in Peoria, IL, 1.0% higher in Peoria. HUD's one-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,295 a month in Boise City and $961 in Peoria (25.8% lower in Peoria). On a $75,000 salary a single filer pays $2,867 in state and local income tax in Boise City versus $3,568 in Peoria, $701 less a year in Boise City. EPI family budgets put overall living costs 17.9% lower in Peoria, so $75,000 in Boise City goes about as far as $61,580 in Peoria. Adjusted for living costs, the median wage buys about 23.0% more in Peoria, IL than in Boise City, ID.

Boise City, ID vs Peoria, IL: Shared Occupation Wages

Comparing empirical BLS median wages across common professions in both labor markets.

Category / Role Boise City, ID Median Peoria, IL Median Advantage Delta Action
Chief ExecutivesSOC 11-1011$172,780$270,090+56.3%Dossier
Architectural and Engineering ManagersSOC 11-9041$168,530$212,820+26.3%Dossier
Computer and Information Systems ManagersSOC 11-3021$161,990$173,870+7.3%Dossier
Purchasing ManagersSOC 11-3061$144,660$174,430+20.6%Dossier
Marketing ManagersSOC 11-2021$159,930$155,400-2.8%Dossier
Financial ManagerSOC 11-3031$131,130$155,840+18.8%Dossier
Data EngineerSOC 15-1243$122,810$154,400+25.7%Dossier
Sales ManagersSOC 11-2022$141,440$131,660-6.9%Dossier
Human Resources ManagersSOC 11-3121$115,360$154,490+33.9%Dossier
Physician AssistantSOC 29-1071$134,800$133,170-1.2%Dossier
Software EngineerSOC 15-1252$131,590$130,590-0.8%Dossier
Nurse PractitionerSOC 29-1171$132,610$128,920-2.8%Dossier

Head-to-Head Comparison Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Boise City, ID or Peoria, IL?

Peoria, IL is cheaper: its cost-of-living index (from EPI family budgets, U.S. = 100) is 99.6 versus 121.3 in Boise City, ID. HUD's one-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,295 a month in Boise City, ID and $961 in Peoria, IL.

How much do I need to earn in Peoria, IL to match $75,000 in Boise City, ID?

About $61,580. That scales $75,000 by the ratio of the two metros' cost-of-living indexes (121.3 in Boise City, ID, 99.6 in Peoria, IL); it does not account for differences in taxes.

Do jobs pay more in Boise City, ID or Peoria, IL?

The BLS median wage across all occupations is $49,100 in Boise City, ID and $49,590 in Peoria, IL. Pay for a specific occupation can differ; the table on this page compares BLS medians for occupations published in both metros.

How do income taxes compare between Boise City, ID and Peoria, IL?

Boise City, ID has a top state rate of 5.3%; a single filer earning $75,000 pays $2,867 in state and local income tax there. Peoria, IL has a top state rate of 4.95%; a single filer earning $75,000 pays $3,568 in state and local income tax there. Federal income tax and FICA are the same in both.

Where does the median wage go further?

Dividing each metro's BLS median wage by its cost-of-living index, the median wage buys about 23.0% more in Peoria, IL than in Boise City, ID.

Reciprocal Route & Triangular Silo Links

Boise City, ID vs. Peoria, IL: Reverse Comparison & Regional Hubs

Reverse Comparison: Peoria, IL vs. Boise City, ID
Boise City, ID vs. Peoria, IL Comparison (2026) Overview

Side-by-side wage, living expense, and tax arbitrage comparison for Boise City, ID vs. Peoria, IL. Empirical BLS earnings and HUD benchmarks. Official 2026 economic data for Boise City, ID vs. Peoria, IL compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.

Quick answers
Is it cheaper to live in Boise City, ID or Peoria, IL?

Peoria, IL is cheaper: its cost-of-living index (from EPI family budgets, U.S. = 100) is 99.6 versus 121.3 in Boise City, ID. HUD's one-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,295 a month in Boise City, ID and $961 in Peoria, IL.

How much do I need to earn in Peoria, IL to match $75,000 in Boise City, ID?

About $61,580. That scales $75,000 by the ratio of the two metros' cost-of-living indexes (121.3 in Boise City, ID, 99.6 in Peoria, IL); it does not account for differences in taxes.