Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Baltimore, MD
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Peoria leads 13 of 23 categories
Baltimore
Maryland
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.7⚠ High
Median Household Income
$58,349 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
423⚠ High
Population
584,548 ✓ Larger
Peoria
Illinois
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,068
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
113,054
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Baltimore, MD
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (6.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 44°F vs 34°F
Cons
Violent crime (1606.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Peoria
Property crime (4157.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Longer commutes — 30.1 min average each way
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $56k less ($146,700 vs $202,900)
Rent averages $318/mo less ($917 vs $1,235)
16% less violent crime than Baltimore
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Baltimore
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.6)
Cons
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 6.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Baltimore
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
6.9% vs 8.0% unemployment
Baltimore
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 90.1°F vs 86.3°F
Peoria
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 102.7 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Violent Crime
16% lower
1344.9 vs 1606.2 per 100k
Peoria
Median Home Value
$56k less
$146,700 vs $202,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.7⚠ High | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $202,900 | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,235 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,349 ✓ Higher | $58,068 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.4% ✓ Higher | 9.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 333⚠ High | 294⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 423⚠ High | 354⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 198⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.9% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.1% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Baltimore City Public Schools | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 43.7°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.1°F ✓ Warmer | 86.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.7" | 39.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 19.3" ✓ Less | 26.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 584,548 ✓ Larger | 113,054 |
| Median Age | 36.0 ✓ Older | 35.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.4% | 23.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.8% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Baltimore's cost of living index is 102.7 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Peoria leads 13 of 23 categories. Baltimore wins 10 and Peoria wins 13. 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 Baltimore to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($202,900 vs $146,700 median home), income ($58,349 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Baltimore, MD and Peoria, IL are about 695 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.