City Comparison
Elgin vs Peoria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Peoria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elgin
Peoria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elgin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Peoria.
| Metric | Elgin | Peoria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,817 | -9% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,737 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elgin offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elgin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elgin is estimated at
$58,000 vs $60,000 in Peoria.
| Metric | Elgin | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 69,903 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $95,815 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Peoria runs warmer on average — a 25.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Peoria comes out ahead with 65 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elgin sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elgin | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | 76.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 105.20°F |
| Winter Low | 16.40°F | 49.40°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 14.20 in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | 322 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Peoria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Elgin.
For walkability, Elgin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elgin | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Peoria is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Elgin.
From a growth perspective, Peoria is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elgin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elgin | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,500 | 200,881 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.84% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elgin
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain noticeably more affordable than Chicago proper per Zillow 2025 data.
Direct commuter rail service via the Metra Union Pacific West line connects residents straight to downtown Chicago.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including the scenic Fox River Trail and over 50 municipal parks.
A culturally diverse population supporting a vibrant culinary scene and regular community festivals.
A growing economy anchored by robust healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors per Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Drawbacks
Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeowner costs per tax assessors.
Winters are cold and demanding, with the city receiving around 27 inches of annual snowfall per climate records.
Moderate walkability and transit scores outside the immediate downtown core require heavy car dependency.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the Interstate 90 corridor can lengthen daily commutes.
Pockets of the city experience higher local crime indices, requiring careful neighborhood selection.
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.
Elgin
#242Illinois, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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