Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Killeen, TX
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Peoria leads 13 of 23 categories
Killeen
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.8
Median Household Income
$57,086
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
153,708 ✓ Larger
Peoria
Illinois
13
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.
Killeen, TX
Pros
61% less violent crime than Peoria
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 34°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.8)
Cons
Violent crime (527.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (10.9% vs 8.0%)
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Peoria
Peoria, IL
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (8.0%)
Homes cost $29k less ($146,700 vs $175,400)
Rent averages $167/mo less ($917 vs $1,084)
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 6 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
Key Differences at a Glance
Killeen
Violent Crime
61% lower
527.6 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Killeen
Summer Heat
9.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.7°F vs 86.3°F
Peoria
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 91.8 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Income
$982
$58,068 vs $57,086/yr
Peoria
Median Home Value
$29k less
$146,700 vs $175,400
Peoria
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
8.0% vs 10.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.8 | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $175,400 | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,084 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,086 | $58,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9%⚠ High | 8.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 9.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 110⚠ High ✓ Safer | 294⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 66 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.8:1 | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.1% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.9% ✓ Higher | 91.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | KILLEEN ISD | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.5°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer | 86.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.0" ✓ Drier | 39.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 26.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,708 ✓ Larger | 113,054 |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 29.2% ✓ More | 23.8% |
| Over 65 | 7.5% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Killeen's cost of living index is 91.8 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Peoria leads 13 of 23 categories. Killeen 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 Killeen to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($175,400 vs $146,700 median home), income ($57,086 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Killeen, TX and Peoria, IL are about 807 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.