Peoria IL vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.5 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 4.7% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 4.2% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $64,137 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,080 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 19.5% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $240,538 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 47.2% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 39.3 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
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, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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