Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Peoria leads 12 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665 ✓ Larger
Peoria
Illinois
12
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.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
70% less violent crime than Peoria
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (5.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 34°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $358,400
Higher rents — median is $1,390/mo
Cost of living runs 24% higher than Peoria
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $212k less ($146,700 vs $358,400)
Rent averages $473/mo less ($917 vs $1,390)
24% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
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 5.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Median Income
$1,871
$59,939 vs $58,068/yr
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
70% lower
408.7 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Elizabeth
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
5.9% vs 8.0% unemployment
Peoria
Cost of Living
24% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Home Value
$212k less
$146,700 vs $358,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 ✓ Higher | $58,068 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 9.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 294⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer | 86.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" | 39.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" | 26.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 ✓ Larger | 113,054 |
| Median Age | 35.7 ✓ Older | 35.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 23.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 24% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Peoria leads 12 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 11 and Peoria wins 12. 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 Elizabeth to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $146,700 median home), income ($59,939 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and Peoria, IL are about 807 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.