City Comparison
Champaign vs Peoria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Peoria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Champaign
Peoria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Champaign is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Peoria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Champaign's average rent is
31% lower than Peoria's.
| Metric | Champaign | Peoria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,817 | -31% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,737 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Peoria offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Peoria delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Champaign is estimated at
$52,000 vs $60,000 in Peoria.
| Metric | Champaign | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 69,903 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $95,815 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Peoria runs warmer on average — a 22.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Peoria comes out ahead with 57 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Champaign sees 18.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Champaign | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.10°F | 76.40°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 105.20°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 49.40°F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | 14.20 in |
| Snowfall | 18.80 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 322 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Champaign has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Peoria.
Champaign scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Champaign leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Champaign | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Peoria is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Champaign.
From a growth perspective, Peoria is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Champaign has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Champaign | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,302 | 200,881 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.84% |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Champaign
Advantages
Median home prices remain below the national average per 2024 Zillow data, offering accessible homeownership.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare.
An award-winning mass transit system (MTD) providing reliable public transportation across the metro area.
A thriving tech and startup ecosystem fueled by University of Illinois research and talent.
Rich cultural diversity and vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scenes unusual for a mid-sized city.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and significant snowfall, averaging nearly 19 inches annually.
Property taxes in Champaign County are relatively high compared to the national average.
Rental markets near the university experience high turnover and seasonal price spikes.
Car dependency is notable outside of the immediate downtown and campus cores.
Local job market can be heavily tied to institutional cycles and state budget fluctuations.
Peoria
Advantages
Named Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2026.
Home to Amkor Technology's $7 billion advanced semiconductor campus creating thousands of high-wage jobs.
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Arizona with low violent and property crime rates.
Abundant outdoor recreation, including Lake Pleasant and over 26 miles of mountain and multi-use trails.
High median household income ($95,815) and a well-educated workforce with top-tier public schools.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 105°F.
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options outside of major roadways.
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly, running moderately higher than the national average.
Historically a commuter suburb where a large share of the workforce still travels outside city limits for work.
Water resource management and desert conservation present ongoing long-term regional challenges.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Champaign
#324Illinois, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
54.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
72
Peoria
#76Arizona, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,817
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
80
Business
85
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