Albany NY vs Peoria IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Peoria
33.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Albany
53.0%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 11,626 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 12.6% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 26.6% | 4.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.6% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $33,805 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 27.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Albany, NY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Peoria
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.2% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.5% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.3% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.1% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.4 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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