Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 11,626 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 63.1% | 59.6% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 4.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $33,805 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 27.6% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 344 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1842 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Peoria
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | 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
Louisville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 34.4 min | Louisville + |
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, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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