๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 106 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Peoria, AZ

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 39 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$54,454
across 39 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$51,615
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$129,359
1BR Rent
$1,424
median monthly

You might think a Phoenix suburb like Peoria is all about sunshine and sprawl, but hereโ€™s a counterintuitive truth: its median household income of $97,296 actually beats the national average. Thatโ€™s not typical for a city of its size, and it signals a local economy punching above its weight.

Letโ€™s talk purchasing power. Peoriaโ€™s cost of living index sits at 105.5โ€”slightly above the national averageโ€”so your dollar doesnโ€™t stretch as far as it might in, say, a Midwest city. A one-bedroom apartment runs you about $1,424 a month. That means the median household income feels adequate but not luxurious, especially if youโ€™re a single earner. Itโ€™s not a bargain, but itโ€™s not a rip-off either; itโ€™s a calculated trade-off for that Arizona lifestyle.

Whoโ€™s thriving here? The data points to a familiar Arizona mix. Software developers are the clear winners, pulling in $129,359. Peoria isnโ€™t a tech hub like Austin, but it benefits from the broader Phoenix metroโ€™s tech spillover and remote work trends. Youโ€™ll also find solid pay for accountants ($87,500), likely serving the healthcare and construction firms that anchor the local economy. The cityโ€™s population is nearing 200,000, and with a tight 3.8% unemployment rate, itโ€™s a workerโ€™s market if you have in-demand skills.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages arenโ€™t keeping pace with the creeping cost of living, especially for blue-collar trades. An electrician earns a respectable $62,565, but after adjusting for COL, thatโ€™s really $59,303. Teachers and real estate agents face similar squeezes. Peoria works best for dual-income households or professionals in tech and finance. If youโ€™re in a lower-earning field, you might feel the pinch.

The numbers below will break down who earns what, adjusted for what it actually costs to live there.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Peoria

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +2% vs national

Software Developer

$129,359
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $122,615
โฑ Hourly $62.19/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +2% vs national

Accountant

$87,500
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $82,938
โฑ Hourly $42.07/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$64,720
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $61,346
โฑ Hourly $31.12/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Electrician

$62,565
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $59,303
โฑ Hourly $30.08/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Real Estate Agent

$62,494
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $59,236
โฑ Hourly $30.05/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 39 Occupations in Peoria

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (106/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $129,359
2 Accountant $87,500
3 Elementary School Teacher $64,720
4 Electrician $62,565
5 Real Estate Agent $62,494
6 Heavy Truck Driver $53,965
7 Police Officer $50,825
8 Paralegal $50,825
9 Carpenter $50,825
10 Physical Therapist $50,825
11 Human Resources Specialist $50,825
12 Financial Analyst $50,825
13 Pharmacist $50,825
14 HVAC Technician $50,825
15 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,825
16 Insurance Agent $50,825
17 Nail Technician $50,825
18 Project Manager $50,825
19 Personal Trainer $50,825
20 Chef/Head Cook $50,825
21 Social Worker $50,825
22 Cosmetologist $50,825
23 Auto Mechanic $50,825
24 Veterinary Technician $50,825
25 Pharmacy Technician $50,825
26 Dental Assistant $50,825
27 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,825
28 Construction Manager $50,825
29 Firefighter $50,825
30 Dental Hygienist $50,825
31 Web Developer $50,825
32 Marketing Manager $50,825
33 Medical Assistant $50,825
34 Loan Officer $50,825
35 Welder $50,825
36 Data Analyst $50,825
37 Plumber $50,825
38 Graphic Designer $50,825
39 Security Guard $36,736

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Peoria

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,424/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,780/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$516,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.8%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$97,296
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
34%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
106
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Peoria?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Peoria. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Peoria Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Peoria, AZ?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Peoria is $54,454. This figure provides a baseline for typical earnings in the area. It is notably lower than the median household income of $97,296, indicating that household earnings often combine multiple incomes or higher-earning roles.

What jobs pay the most in Peoria?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Peoria is Software Developer at $129,359. This salary is more than double the area's average of $54,454. Such high-paying tech roles significantly elevate the local income ceiling compared to other occupations.

Is Peoria affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $129,359 is well above the median household income of $97,296 and the average salary. With a 1BR rent of $1,424/month, housing costs are manageable. The cost of living index at 105.5 is slightly above the national average, but the high salary comfortably offsets it.

How does Peoria's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Peoria's cost of living index is 105.5, meaning expenses are 5.5% higher than the national average. This reduces the purchasing power of your paycheck compared to a lower-cost area. For example, a $54,454 salary here has the equivalent buying power of roughly $51,615 nationally.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Peoria?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, a single person likely needs a salary that covers a 1BR rent of $1,424/month plus other expenses, suggesting an income around $55,000-$60,000. This aligns closely with the area's average salary of $54,454. The cost of living index at 105.5 means you need about 5.5% more than the national average for a similar standard of living.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Peoria Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Peoria isnโ€™t a gold rush, but itโ€™s a solid bet if youโ€™re in the right lane. With an average salary of $54,454 and a cost-of-living index of 105.5, youโ€™re paying a slight premium over the national average, especially with rent at $1,424 a month. Itโ€™s not cheap, but itโ€™s not crushing you either.

The real winners here are software developers, pulling in $129,359 on average (or a COL-adjusted $122,615). Tech is clearly the golden ticket. Healthcare workers and skilled trades can do okay, but you wonโ€™t be swimming in cash like the devs.

If youโ€™re considering the move, especially in tech, youโ€™ll do well. For everyone else, run the numbers carefully. My advice? Negotiate hard for a salary that beats the local average. Donโ€™t just match it. The cost of living is ticking up, and you want to be on the right side of that equation.

Explore Peoria Further