Peoria IL vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Peoria
59.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 59.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $280,921 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 40.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.1% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.1% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 18.5% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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