Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 11,626 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 58.4% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 29.7% | 4.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.6% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Peoria
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $33,805 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.8% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 27.6% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.5% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.8% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.1% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 34.4 min | Huntsville + |
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 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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