Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 11,626 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 27.4% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 60.0% | 4.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $33,805 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $68,110 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 27.6% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1842 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.2% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 34.4 min | Baltimore + |
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 433 in Baltimore. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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