Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 11,626 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 57.8% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 25.8% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.6% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Peoria
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $33,805 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.8% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 27.6% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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