Peoria IL vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 59.6% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 4.7% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 23.1% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $77,643 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.7% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $468,328 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 41.6% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.7% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.3% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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 450 in Tempe. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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