Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Newark
16.5%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Peoria
37.0%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 11,626 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 12.6% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 46.7% | 4.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.6% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 37.0% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $68,110 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 344 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1842 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.2% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Peoria
34.4 min
Peoria +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 34.4 min | Peoria + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Newark, NJLos Angeles, CA vs Newark, NJChicago, IL vs Newark, NJHouston, TX vs Newark, NJNewark, NJ vs Phoenix, AZNewark, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA