Peoria IL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 59.6% | 58.0% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 24.9% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $67,544 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.4% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 19.8% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $435,532 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 42.4% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.9% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.1% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 48.1 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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