Aurora IL 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)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Aurora +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Peoria
1.6%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Peoria
37.0%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 11,626 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 59.6% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.7% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.6% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 37.0% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Peoria
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Peoria
73.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 73.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Peoria
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Peoria
1842
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.2% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.5% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.1% | Aurora + |
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
Aurora +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 38.0 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 34.4 min | Aurora + |
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 344 in Aurora. 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, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, IL vs New York, NYAurora, IL vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, IL vs Chicago, ILAurora, IL vs Houston, TXAurora, IL vs Phoenix, AZAurora, IL vs Philadelphia, PA