Irvine CA 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 11,626 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 12.6% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 2.0% | 4.7% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 1.6% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Peoria
$83,102
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $83,102 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $33,805 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 27.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Peoria
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 36.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.5% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.8% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 9.3% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 15.1% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 38.0 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 34.4 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 503 in Irvine. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
Compare More Cities
Irvine, CA vs New York, NYIrvine, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Irvine, CAHouston, TX vs Irvine, CAIrvine, CA vs Phoenix, AZIrvine, CA vs Philadelphia, PA