Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 11,626 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 69.7% | 59.6% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.7% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Peoria
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $33,805 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.8% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 27.6% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 36.2% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.5% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.8% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.1% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 38.0 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 34.4 min | Mesa + |
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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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