Peoria IL vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Riverside
33.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 59.6% | 39.2% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $33,716 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.0% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 12.5% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 25.7% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $648,603 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 56.3% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.7% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.6% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Riverside
34.1 min
Riverside +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 34.1 min | Riverside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Riverside 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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