Denver CO vs Peoria AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Denver
62.9%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Peoria
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 194,338 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 42.1 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.3% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 8.8% | 3.4% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 19.7% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Peoria
$45,831
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $45,831 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 35.5% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Peoria
$488,428
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $488,428 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Peoria
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Peoria
10.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 29.5% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.5% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.6% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 31.2 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $488,428. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
Compare More Cities
Denver, CO vs New York, NYDenver, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Denver, CODenver, CO vs Houston, TXDenver, CO vs Phoenix, AZDenver, CO vs Philadelphia, PA