Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Peoria
33.1
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 11,626 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 12.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 29.0% | 4.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $33,805 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 27.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.2% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 34.4 min | Columbus + |
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, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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