Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 11,626 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 39.9% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 46.9% | 4.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.6% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $33,805 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 27.6% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 36.2% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.5% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.8% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.1% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 34.4 min | Atlanta + |
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 392 in Atlanta. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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