Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 11,626 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 25.0% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 62.9% | 4.7% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.6% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 27.6% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 34.4 min | Memphis + |
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 639 in Memphis. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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