Peoria IL vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 38.2 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 5.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 4.7% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 16.9% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $55,902 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $33,290 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,860 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.9% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 15.6% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $193,522 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 59.2% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 449 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2174 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 39.7% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.4% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 39.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
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 449 in Topeka. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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