Peoria IL vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 42.9 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 59.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.7% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 16.4% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.1% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 11.6% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $865,610 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 28.8% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 20.7% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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