Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Eugene leads 12 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,481 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
Peoria
Illinois
11
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.
Eugene, OR
Pros
76% less violent crime than Peoria
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (7.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 34°F
More college-educated — 44.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $3,413 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $406,000
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Peoria
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $259k less ($146,700 vs $406,000)
Rent averages $352/mo less ($917 vs $1,269)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Eugene
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.6)
Smaller class sizes — 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio
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 7.1%)
Median income trails Eugene by $3,413/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Median Income
$3,413
$61,481 vs $58,068/yr
Eugene
Violent Crime
76% lower
317.9 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Eugene
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
7.1% vs 8.0% unemployment
Peoria
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Home Value
$259k less
$146,700 vs $406,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 ✓ Higher | $58,068 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 9.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 294⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 37.5% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 91.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 86.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 39.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 26.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 ✓ Larger | 113,054 |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 23.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 16.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Eugene leads 12 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 12 and Peoria wins 11. 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 Eugene to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $146,700 median home), income ($61,481 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Peoria, IL are about 1,712 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.