Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hartford, CT
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Peoria leads 17 of 23 categories
Hartford
Connecticut
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1
Median Household Income
$41,841
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
121,057 ✓ Larger
Peoria
Illinois
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,068 ✓ Higher
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.
Hartford, CT
Pros
62% less violent crime than Peoria
Cons
Median income trails Peoria by $16,227/yr
Violent crime (515.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2845.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (10.6% vs 8.0%)
Peoria, IL
Pros
Households earn $16,227 more per year on average
Homes cost $52k less ($146,700 vs $198,900)
Rent averages $237/mo less ($917 vs $1,154)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (8.0%)
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
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
Key Differences at a Glance
Hartford
Violent Crime
62% lower
515.8 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Peoria
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 96.1 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Income
$16,227
$58,068 vs $41,841/yr
Peoria
Median Home Value
$52k less
$146,700 vs $198,900
Peoria
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
8.0% vs 10.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $198,900 | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,154 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $41,841 | $58,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6%⚠ High | 8.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.1 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.3% | 9.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 294⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 17.5% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.7% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hartford School District | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.8°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.6°F | 86.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" | 39.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 51.7" | 26.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,057 ✓ Larger | 113,054 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.6% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 23.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hartford's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Peoria leads 17 of 23 categories. Hartford wins 6 and Peoria wins 17. 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 Hartford to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($198,900 vs $146,700 median home), income ($41,841 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hartford, CT and Peoria, IL are about 881 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.