Peoria IL vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.4 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 9.1% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 4.7% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 8.9% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $427,121 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 64.9% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach 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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