Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Peoria
1.6%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 11,626 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 25.6% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 67.1% | 4.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.6% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 27.6% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 34.4 min | Birmingham + |
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 400 in Birmingham. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Birmingham, AL vs New York, NYBirmingham, AL vs Los Angeles, CABirmingham, AL vs Chicago, ILBirmingham, AL vs Houston, TXBirmingham, AL vs Phoenix, AZBirmingham, AL vs Philadelphia, PA