Peoria IL vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Portland
11.1%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.5 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 11.1% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 4.7% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 3.1% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $76,174 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,587 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $561,069 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 46.7% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Portland
17.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.3% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 47.3 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Peoria, ILLos Angeles, CA vs Peoria, ILChicago, IL vs Peoria, ILHouston, TX vs Peoria, ILPeoria, IL vs Phoenix, AZPeoria, IL vs Philadelphia, PA