Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 11,626 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 32.8% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 56.5% | 4.7% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.6% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Peoria
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 34.4 min | Augusta + |
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 Augusta. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Augusta, GA vs New York, NYAugusta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAugusta, GA vs Chicago, ILAugusta, GA vs Houston, TXAugusta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAugusta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA