Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Peoria
37.0%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 11,626 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 22.9% | 4.7% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.6% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 37.0% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $33,805 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 27.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.1% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 34.4 min | Houston + |
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 442 in Houston. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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