Accountant Salary

Northbrook vs Peoria: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Northbrook, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Northbrook, IL
$77,540
$37.28/hr
Peoria, IL
$81,616
$39.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorthbrook, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$77,540$81,616
Hourly Rate$37.28$39.24
Entry Level (P10)$52,681$54,291
25th Percentile$61,911$66,368
75th Percentile$99,252$104,816
Top Earner (P90)$120,187$134,070
Total Employed81,350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Northbrook ($77,540) and Peoria ($81,616) accountant salaries.NorthbrookPeoriaMedian Salary$77,540$81,616Entry Level (P10)$52,681$54,291Top Earner (P90)$120,187$134,070US Median $85,864

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Northbrook.

The salary gap between Northbrook and Peoria is $4,076 (5.26%). Peoria's median is -4.95% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Northbrook spans $67,506,Peoria spans $79,779. Peoria has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced accountants.

Northbrook
P10 (Entry)$52,681
P25$61,911
Median$77,540
P75$99,252
P90 (Top)$120,187
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$54,291
P25$66,368
Median$81,616
P75$104,816
P90 (Top)$134,070

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($89,461 effective) pays 12.03% more than Northbrook ($79,856 effective).

Northbrook
Nominal: $77,540
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $79,856
Peoria
Nominal: $81,616
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $89,461

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Northbrook if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,616/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,070)
  • Larger job market (1,350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,461)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Northbrook grew -10.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.2% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Northbrook, IL

+-10.3%

$84,280 (2024) → $75,568 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+8.2%

$73,490 (2019) → $79,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Northbrook or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median accountant salary at $81,616/year, compared to Northbrook at $77,540/year — a difference of $4,076 (5.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Northbrook and Peoria?

Northbrook accountants earn $37.28/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $39.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Northbrook to Peoria as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Northbrook and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Northbrook = $79,856, Peoria = $89,461), job availability (8 vs 1,350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Northbrook vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $52,681 in Northbrook and $54,291 in Peoria. The Peoria area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SP

Written by Sofia Patel, CPA

Career Analyst

Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.61% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov