Peoria IL vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 7.2% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 4.7% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 22.4% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $58,568 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $31,987 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 17.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 25.0% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $174,763 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 57.0% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.9% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
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 Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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