Grand Rapids 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
33.1
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 11,626 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 61.0% | 59.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 4.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $33,805 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 27.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.4 min | Grand Rapids + |
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 471 in Grand Rapids. 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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