Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Atlanta leads 14 of 23 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,655 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Peoria
Illinois
9
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.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
37% less violent crime than Peoria
Households earn $19,587 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.8%)
More college-educated — 57.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 34°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $395,600
Higher rents — median is $1,512/mo
Violent crime (840.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Peoria
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $249k less ($146,700 vs $395,600)
Rent averages $595/mo less ($917 vs $1,512)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Atlanta
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.6)
Cons
Median income trails Atlanta by $19,587/yr
Violent crime (1344.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4284.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.0% vs 5.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Median Income
$19,587
$77,655 vs $58,068/yr
Atlanta
Violent Crime
37% lower
840.6 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Atlanta
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.8% vs 8.0% unemployment
Atlanta
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 86.3°F
Peoria
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Home Value
$249k less
$146,700 vs $395,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $395,600⚠ High | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 ✓ Higher | $58,068 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 9.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High ✓ Safer | 294⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 37.5% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 91.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer | 86.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 39.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" ✓ Less | 26.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 113,054 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 23.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Atlanta leads 14 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 14 and Peoria wins 9. 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 Atlanta to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $146,700 median home), income ($77,655 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Peoria, IL are about 561 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.