Peoria IL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Waco
9.8%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 9.8% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 54.0% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 29.9% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $51,468 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $28,819 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 24.0% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $196,465 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 48.9% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Waco
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Waco
15.1%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.8% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.4% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 20.4% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
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 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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