Peoria IL vs Phoenix AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.8 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 59.6% | 53.7% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $77,041 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.1% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 14.3% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $411,323 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 57.1% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 17.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
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 Phoenix. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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