Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Peoria, IL
VS
Richmond, VA
🏆 Richmond leads 12 of 22 categories
Peoria
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,068
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High
Population
113,054
Richmond
Virginia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$59,606 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
227,171 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $162k less ($146,700 vs $308,300)
Rent averages $310/mo less ($917 vs $1,227)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
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
Higher unemployment (8.0% vs 6.1%)
Richmond, VA
Pros
75% less violent crime than Peoria
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (6.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 34°F
More college-educated — 44.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $308,300
Property crime (3179.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Peoria
Key Differences at a Glance
Peoria
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Home Value
$162k less
$146,700 vs $308,300
Richmond
Median Income
$1,538
$59,606 vs $58,068/yr
Richmond
Violent Crime
75% lower
336.9 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Richmond
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
6.1% vs 8.0% unemployment
Richmond
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 89.5°F vs 86.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Richmond, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $146,700 ✓ Lower | $308,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $917 ✓ Lower | $1,227 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,068 | $59,606 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 22.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.2% | 14.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 294⚠ High | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 354⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 204⚠ High | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.0:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.5% | 44.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.5% ✓ Higher | 88.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Peoria SD 150 | Richmond City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 33.6°F | 47.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.3°F | 89.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.7" ✓ Drier | 47.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 26.2" | 8.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,054 | 227,171 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.6 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% ✓ Higher | 43.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.8% ✓ More | 17.1% |
| Over 65 | 16.5% ✓ More | 13.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Peoria's cost of living index is 88.6 vs Richmond's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Richmond leads 12 of 22 categories. Peoria wins 10 and Richmond wins 12. 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 Peoria to Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($146,700 vs $308,300 median home), income ($58,068 vs $59,606), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Peoria, IL and Richmond, VA are about 687 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.