Elgin IL 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)
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
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
Elgin
114,106
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Peoria
5.8%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Peoria
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 42.1 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 11.3% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 5.2% | 3.4% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.8% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 19.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $488,428 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 31.2 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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