Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Peoria
33.1
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 11,626 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.1 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.6% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 7.4% | 4.7% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Peoria
$83,102
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $83,102 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $33,805 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 27.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Peoria
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 36.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 15.1% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 38.0 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 34.4 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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