Peoria IL vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Schenectady
28,542
Schenectady +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 28,542 | Schenectady + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 42.3 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 6.8% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 4.7% | 3.1% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 4.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $321,835 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 57.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 38.6% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.2% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.7% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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