Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Peoria, IL
VS
Roswell, GA
🏆 Roswell leads 16 of 23 categories
Peoria
Illinois
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,068
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High
Population
113,054 ✓ Larger
Roswell
Georgia
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$122,924 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
42 ✓ Safer
Population
92,770
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Peoria, IL
Pros
Homes cost $333k less ($146,700 vs $479,400)
Rent averages $702/mo less ($917 vs $1,619)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Roswell
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.6)
Cons
Median income trails Roswell by $64,856/yr
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 4.3%)
Roswell, GA
Pros
Households earn $64,856 more per year on average
88% less violent crime than Peoria
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.7 pts lower (4.3%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (160.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 63.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 34°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $479,400
Higher rents — median is $1,619/mo
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Peoria
Longer commutes — 29.1 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Peoria
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 88.6 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Median Home Value
$333k less
$146,700 vs $479,400
Roswell
Median Income
$64,856
$122,924 vs $58,068/yr
Roswell
Violent Crime
88% lower
160.1 vs 1344.9 per 100k
Roswell
Unemployment
3.7 pp lower
4.3% vs 8.0% unemployment
Roswell
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 86.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Roswell, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 88.6 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $146,700 ✓ Lower | $479,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $917 ✓ Lower | $1,619⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,068 | $122,924 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.2% | 25.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 294⚠ High | 45 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 354⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 204⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.0:1 | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.5% | 63.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.5% | 94.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Peoria SD 150 | Fulton County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 33.6°F | 51.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.3°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.7" ✓ Drier | 53.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 26.2" | 1.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,054 ✓ Larger | 92,770 |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 40.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 70.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.8% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.5% ✓ More | 15.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Peoria's cost of living index is 88.6 vs Roswell's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roswell leads 16 of 23 categories. Peoria wins 7 and Roswell wins 16. 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 Roswell or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($146,700 vs $479,400 median home), income ($58,068 vs $122,924), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Peoria, IL and Roswell, GA are about 546 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.