Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 11,626 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 12.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.6% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 34.4 min | Kansas City + |
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 449 in Kansas City. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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