Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 11,626 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 11.7% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 76.8% | 4.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.6% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Peoria
$132,671
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $132,671 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 38.0 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 34.4 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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