Peoria IL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.9 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 59.6% | 39.1% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 11.6% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $580,173 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 41.1% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 24.0% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Washington
32.8 min
Washington +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 32.8 min | Washington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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