Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Evansville +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Evansville +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Peoria
1.6%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 11,626 | Evansville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 77.1% | 59.6% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 4.7% | Evansville + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 1.6% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 34.4 min | Evansville + |
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 370 in Evansville. 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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