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.
Peoria, Illinois is a moderately-sized city with a population of 112,644 people. Peoria is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (59%) and Black or African American (27%). 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.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Peoria, Illinois. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Peoria, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, education, employment, housing and more.
With a livability score of 74 out of 100, Peoria is ranked #3,947 in the United States and #195 in Illinois. For each of the livability categories, we know that Peoria ranks very well for amenities (B), cost of living (A+) and housing (B). On a more negative note, Peoria does not have favorable grades for the following: crime (F) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Living in Peoria offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Peoria provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Peoria are: Peoria Zoo, Peoria Civic Center, and O'Brien Field.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Peoria apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Peoria is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Peoria come in at $127,900, which is 26.8% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Peoria, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 16.7% lower than the Illinois average.
| 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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