Lancaster 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Peoria
37.0%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 11,626 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 21.4% | 4.7% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.6% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 37.0% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 36.2% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.5% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 38.0 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 34.4 min | Lancaster + |
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 503 in Lancaster. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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