Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Peoria
37.0%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 11,626 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 12.6% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 1.6% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 37.0% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $33,805 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
36.2%
Peoria
36.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.5% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.1% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 38.0 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 34.4 min | Modesto + |
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 Modesto. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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