Peoria IL vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Springfield
1.7%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.6 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 3.8% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.7% | 4.3% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.7% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 5.6% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $45,984 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $30,864 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 19.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $245,279 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 42.9% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 37.7% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.0% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.0% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 45.6 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 19.5 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, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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