Peoria, Illinois, known as "The River City," is a historic and vibrant community located along the Illinois River. With its rich history, diverse cultural scene, and strong economy, Peoria offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of historic charm and modern amenities makes living in Peoria an attractive option.
Residents of Peoria enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, museums, and historic sites provide ample opportunities for exploration and enrichment. The Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Caterpillar Visitors Center are popular destinations that celebrate the city's industrial heritage and cultural richness. The annual Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair and the Peoria Music Live events highlight the city's vibrant arts scene.
Peoria's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The city is home to major employers such as Caterpillar Inc. and OSF HealthCare, providing ample job opportunities for residents. Bradley University contributes to the city's academic and cultural environment.
The cost of living in Peoria is relatively affordable compared to other parts of Illinois, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.
Public transportation in Peoria is provided by the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (CityLink), facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Peoria's climate features four distinct seasons, with hot summers and cold winters, allowing for a variety of seasonal activities. Overall, Peoria offers a blend of historical significance, cultural richness, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Schools
The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.
Ratings
AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Located in the state of Illinois, Peoria is a moderately-sized city with a population of 115,301 inhabitants. Individuals of White (59%) and Black or African American (27%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Peoria, only 46% of the population is married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Peoria is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in Peoria can be a great experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Peoria and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, employment, housing and other important metrics.
Peoria, IL receives 73 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #230 in Illinois and #4,531 in the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Peoria has received high marks for amenities (B), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Peoria. The following was graded with a discouraging score: crime (F) and education (F).
If you're considering living in Peoria, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Peoria provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Peoria Zoo, Peoria Civic Center, and O'Brien Field.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Peoria has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Peoria meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Peoria. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Peoria are simply unattainable. The median home price for Peoria homes is $234,227, which is 24.1% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Peoria, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 14.3% lower than the Illinois average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Peoria | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.1% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.3% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.9% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.9% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.8% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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