Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Peoria
1.6%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 11,626 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 51.3% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 38.0% | 4.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.6% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.2% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 34.4 min | Dayton + |
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, Dayton 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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