Living in Peoria, IL
Peoria is the 291st-largest city in the US, home to about 111,000 people in 2025. It has lost 2% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (91.2 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 110,920-2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $156,2002.6 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,005/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $59,410median, per year
- Price level
- 91.2US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 34° / 86°lows 18° / 66°
- Average commute
- 18 min12% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.95%top rate, flat
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County: Peoria County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 502 ft
Metro area: Peoria, IL
Cost of living in Peoria
The median home in Peoria is worth $156,200 and the median household earns $59,410 a year, so a typical home costs about 2.6 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,005 a month, about 20% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Peoria, IL metro area at 91.2, with housing at 63.8 and goods at 93.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $68,400 here. Illinois taxes wages at a top rate of 4.95% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Illinois is 8.98%.
What would my salary be worth in Peoria?
Peoria weather
Average highs run from 34°F in January to 86°F in July, and January nights average 18°F. It gets 38 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 26 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 118 times a year. The most comfortable months are April, June and August to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Peoria
People and work
The median resident is 35.5 years old, and 38% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 58% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 18 minutes; 12% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 35.5213th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 38%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 58%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,30548.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%2% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 7.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 21%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1966median year
Who moves to Peoria, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Chicago (Cook County), Naperville (DuPage County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Chicago (Cook County), Dallas (Dallas County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Peoria County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, winter weather, hail, strong wind.
Home prices
+3.7% in a year
Up 45% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Peoria, IL area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
60% good days
4 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Peoria, IL area (357 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Peoria
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Bradley University 2 miles
- Eureka College 19 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Peoria
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria International Airport PIA | 6 mi | 343,114 |
| Central Illinois Regional Airport BMI | 41 mi | 161,971 |
| Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport SPI | 61 mi | 51,784 |
| Quad Cities International Airport MLI | 68 mi | 326,888 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Peoria
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | 2 mi | 3,574 | $22,469 | 73% |
| Eureka College | 19 mi | 522 | $21,198 | 36% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Peoria
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 16, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 14 and the first frost comes around October 23.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Peoria Gtr Peoria Airport, IL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Peoria.
Wildfire smoke in Peoria
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Peoria on about 141 days a year, including about 35 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Peoria
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 49,037 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Peoria
Downtown Peoria is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria School District 150 | Pre-K to 12 | 12,913 | 30 | 15.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Dunlap Community Unit School District 323 (4,837 students), Morton Community Unit School District 709 (3,247 students), Pekin Public School District108 (3,126 students), Illinois Valley Central Unit School District 321 (2,071 students), Pekin Community High School District 303 (1,712 students), East Peoria School District 86 (1,401 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Peoria's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Peoria's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Scranton, PA81% matchCompare
- Toledo, OH80% matchCompare
- Topeka, KS77% matchCompare
- Omaha, NE76% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Peoria
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Peoria
- Ski Snowstar 75 miles
- Chestnut Mountain 117 miles
- Wilmot Mountain 143 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Peoria
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 2.6 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 9% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 18 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Peoria report card from locals
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Peoria through locals' eyes
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Cities near Peoria
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 40 mi | 78,804 | $203,300 | 93.5 | Compare |
| Springfield, IL | 68 mi | 112,989 | $162,100 | 92.7 | Compare |
| Davenport, IA | 77 mi | 100,358 | $166,400 | 89.1 | Compare |
| Champaign, IL | 84 mi | 91,195 | $210,900 | 92.7 | Compare |
| Joliet, IL | 98 mi | 152,241 | $265,800 | 103.6 | Compare |
| Aurora, IL | 100 mi | 181,505 | $274,800 | 103.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Peoria with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Peoria a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes; the trade-offs are a shrinking population. Compare Peoria side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Peoria?
The Census Bureau estimates Peoria had 110,920 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 113,216 in April 2020 (-2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Peoria?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $68,400 in the Peoria area. The median household here earns $59,410.
When is the best time to visit Peoria?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, April, June and August to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 86°F and January 34°F for daytime highs.
What county is Peoria in?
Peoria is in Peoria County, Illinois. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Peoria in?
Peoria is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Peoria?
About 502 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Illinois have a state income tax?
Yes. Illinois has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.95% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Peoria. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Peoria, IL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Peoria Gtr Peoria Airport, IL station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.