Peoria IL vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 59.6% | 21.8% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 1.4% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $28,813 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 14.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 15.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $751,711 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 47.0% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 22.4% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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