Peoria IL vs St. Petersburg FL — 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%
St. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Peoria
59.6%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 43.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 10.1% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 4.7% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $73,118 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.9% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 11.7% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
63.0%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $331,500 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 63.0% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.1% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.6% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
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, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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