Aurora IL vs Peoria AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Aurora +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Peoria
3.4%
Peoria +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Peoria
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 42.1 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.3% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 2.6% | 3.4% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 19.7% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $488,428 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 31.2 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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