Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arlington, TX
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Arlington leads 13 of 23 categories
Arlington
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,736 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
393,469 ✓ Larger
Peoria
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,068
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High
Population
113,054
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arlington, TX
Pros
64% less violent crime than Peoria
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (5.6%)
Households earn $13,668 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 34°F
Cons
Violent crime (482.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Peoria
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $105k less ($146,700 vs $251,300)
Rent averages $380/mo less ($917 vs $1,297)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Arlington
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.6)
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (1344.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Arlington by $13,668/yr
Property crime (4284.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.0% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arlington
Median Income
$13,668
$71,736 vs $58,068/yr
Arlington
Violent Crime
64% lower
482.9 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Arlington
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.0% unemployment
Arlington
Summer Heat
9.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 86.3°F
Peoria
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Home Value
$105k less
$146,700 vs $251,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $251,300 | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,297 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,736 ✓ Higher | $58,068 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% ✓ Higher | 9.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 122⚠ High ✓ Safer | 294⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.4% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.9% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ARLINGTON ISD | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.9°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 86.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" ✓ Drier | 39.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.8" ✓ Less | 26.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 393,469 ✓ Larger | 113,054 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.3% ✓ More | 23.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.1% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arlington's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arlington leads 13 of 23 categories. Arlington wins 13 and Peoria wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arlington to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($251,300 vs $146,700 median home), income ($71,736 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arlington, TX and Peoria, IL are about 694 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.