Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gresham, OR
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Peoria leads 13 of 23 categories
Gresham
Oregon
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,437 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
113,525 ✓ Larger
Peoria
Illinois
13
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.
Gresham, OR
Pros
69% less violent crime than Peoria
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.8%)
Households earn $11,369 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 34°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $411,700
Higher rents — median is $1,452/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Peoria
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $265k less ($146,700 vs $411,700)
Rent averages $535/mo less ($917 vs $1,452)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Gresham
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.6)
Cons
Violent crime (1344.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Gresham by $11,369/yr
Property crime (4284.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.0% vs 5.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Gresham
Median Income
$11,369
$69,437 vs $58,068/yr
Gresham
Violent Crime
69% lower
410.2 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Gresham
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.8% vs 8.0% unemployment
Peoria
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Home Value
$265k less
$146,700 vs $411,700
Peoria
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 86.3°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.6⚠ High | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $411,700⚠ High | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,452⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,437 ✓ 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 % | 10.2% ✓ Higher | 9.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 111⚠ 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 | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (81) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.9:1 | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.2% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.1% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gresham-Barlow SD 10J | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 46.7°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 86.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.7" | 39.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.4" ✓ Less | 26.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,525 ✓ Larger | 113,054 |
| Median Age | 37.3 ✓ Older | 35.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.4% | 23.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.7% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gresham's cost of living index is 106.6 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Peoria leads 13 of 23 categories. Gresham 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 Gresham to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($411,700 vs $146,700 median home), income ($69,437 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gresham, OR and Peoria, IL are about 1,675 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.