Peoria IL vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.5 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 12.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 55.5% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 20.6% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Rockford
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $53,328 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $30,409 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.6% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 21.9% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 23.2% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $180,220 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 53.8% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Rockford
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Rockford
1842
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 44.7% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.4% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.0% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.0% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
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, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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