Peoria IL vs San Jose 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 38.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 59.6% | 29.0% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 2.9% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 30.9% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $1,452,609 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 56.0% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Peoria, IL | San Jose, 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%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
San Jose
30.4 min
San Jose +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 30.4 min | San Jose + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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