Peoria IL vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 41.5 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 59.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 4.7% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 2.4% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $78,429 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.2% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $309,742 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
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 471 in Sterling Heights. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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