Indianapolis 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 11,626 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 53.6% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 28.1% | 4.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $33,805 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 27.6% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Peoria
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, 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
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 34.4 min | Indianapolis + |
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 Indianapolis. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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