Peoria IL vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 38.0 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 7.5% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 57.5% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 8.6% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $52,671 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $279,668 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 51.7% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 41.9% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.4% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.0% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 44.5 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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