Peoria IL vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 41.6 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 6.8% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.7% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 19.2% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $422,520 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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