Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Peoria
33.1
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 11,626 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 33.1 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.2% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 21.6% | 4.7% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.6% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 27.6% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.1% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 34.4 min | Gainesville + |
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, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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