Peoria IL vs Springfield 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 40.7 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 4.5% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.7% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 3.4% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Springfield
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $65,537 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.7% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 16.5% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Springfield
$168,312
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Springfield
63.4%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $168,312 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 63.4% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Springfield
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Springfield
1842
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, 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 +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 41.1% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, 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
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
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, Springfield 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 Springfield 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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