Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Durham
44.0%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 11,626 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 12.6% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 34.4% | 4.7% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Peoria
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $33,805 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.8% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 27.6% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.5% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.8% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.1% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 34.4 min | Durham + |
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, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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