Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Paterson, NJ
VS
Peoria, IL
🏆 Peoria leads 15 of 23 categories
Paterson
New Jersey
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$52,092
Violent Crime Index
258⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
157,864 ✓ Larger
Peoria
Illinois
15
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.
Paterson, NJ
Pros
27% less violent crime than Peoria
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 34°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $314,100
Higher rents — median is $1,392/mo
Violent crime (978.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 24% higher than Peoria
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $167k less ($146,700 vs $314,100)
Rent averages $475/mo less ($917 vs $1,392)
24% cheaper overall cost of living than Paterson
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (8.0%)
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 6 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
Paterson
Violent Crime
27% lower
978.6 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Peoria
Cost of Living
24% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Income
$5,976
$58,068 vs $52,092/yr
Peoria
Median Home Value
$167k less
$146,700 vs $314,100
Peoria
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
8.0% vs 10.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Peoria, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $314,100⚠ High | $146,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,392⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $58,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.5%⚠ High | 8.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.4 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 3.6% | 9.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 199⚠ High ✓ Safer | 294⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 258⚠ High ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 12.6% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 76.6% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Paterson Public School District | Peoria SD 150 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.3°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer | 86.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 49.4" | 39.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 28.2" | 26.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 157,864 ✓ Larger | 113,054 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 26.3% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.5% ✓ More | 23.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.5% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Paterson's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Peoria's 88.6 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 24% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Peoria leads 15 of 23 categories. Paterson wins 8 and Peoria wins 15. 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 Paterson to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($314,100 vs $146,700 median home), income ($52,092 vs $58,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Paterson, NJ and Peoria, IL are about 807 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.