Peoria IL vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 35.6 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 10.7% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 48.7% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 17.9% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $57,673 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 17.9% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $419,326 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 54.6% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wilmington, NC | 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%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.6% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.5% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 58.4 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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 398 in Wilmington. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Peoria, ILLos Angeles, CA vs Peoria, ILChicago, IL vs Peoria, ILHouston, TX vs Peoria, ILPeoria, IL vs Phoenix, AZPeoria, IL vs Philadelphia, PA