Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Peoria
33.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 11,626 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 36.2% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 51.0% | 4.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 27.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 34.4 min | Baton Rouge + |
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 643 in Baton Rouge. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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