Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Kenosha, WI
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Peoria leads 14 of 23 categories
Kenosha
Wisconsin
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,963 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
99,493
Peoria
Illinois
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,068
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High
Population
113,054 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Kenosha, WI
Pros
79% less violent crime than Peoria
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (5.4%)
Households earn $6,895 more per year on average
Cons
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Peoria
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $48k less ($146,700 vs $194,400)
Rent averages $162/mo less ($917 vs $1,079)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Kenosha
Commutes run 7 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
Property crime (4284.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Kenosha by $6,895/yr
Higher unemployment (8.0% vs 5.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Kenosha
Median Income
$6,895
$64,963 vs $58,068/yr
Kenosha
Violent Crime
79% lower
285.7 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Kenosha
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
5.4% vs 8.0% unemployment
Peoria
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Home Value
$48k less
$146,700 vs $194,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Kenosha, WI | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $194,400 | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,079 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,963 ✓ Higher | $58,068 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.1 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.4% | 9.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 62 ✓ Safer | 294⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 41 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.5% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Kenosha School District | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.3°F | 33.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 86.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" ✓ Drier | 39.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.2" | 26.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,493 | 113,054 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.3 ✓ Older | 35.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.7% ✓ Higher | 56.3% |
| Under 18 | 23.7% | 23.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenosha's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Peoria leads 14 of 23 categories. Kenosha wins 9 and Peoria wins 14. 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 Kenosha to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($194,400 vs $146,700 median home), income ($64,963 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Kenosha, WI and Peoria, IL are about 155 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.