Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Peoria
33.1
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 11,626 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.1 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 49.4% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 38.7% | 4.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $33,805 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 27.6% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 34.4 min | Cincinnati + |
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, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. 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, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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