Peoria

Background Image

Peoria, IL

Area Guide

The Riverfront City dazzles -- and it has the awards to show for it.

Picturesque Midwestern Arts and Culture Vibrant Family-Friendly

Welcome to Peoria, Illinois, a historic riverside community along the Illinois River. From downtown apartments to single-family homes in the West Bluff Historic District, Peoria offers diverse housing options for renters. Currently, one-bedroom apartments rent for around $927, with two-bedroom units averaging $1,181 and three-bedroom options at approximately $1,272 per month. Annual rent increases average 1.4%. Notable residential areas include Dunlap, the Moss-Bradley district near Bradley University, and Northwest Peoria near The Shoppes at Grand Prairie.

Peoria combines city living with natural surroundings, highlighted by Grandview Drive's sweeping views of the Illinois River valley. The city maintains 9,000 acres of parks, including Forest Park Nature Center's hiking trails and Glen Oak Park, which features the Peoria Zoo and Luthy Botanical Garden. Downtown, residents enjoy entertainment at the Peoria Civic Center and can explore the Peoria Riverfront Museum. The city serves as a major healthcare hub with three hospitals, while Bradley University enriches the community with educational and cultural opportunities. As a nod to local history, Peoria earned fame as the "Whiskey Capital of the World" in the 19th century, with its numerous distilleries contributing significantly to Civil War-era tax revenue.

Explore the City

Tutor style large homes are popular within the historic district of West Bluff.

At Donovan Park in North Peoria, residents enjoy walking their dogs in the early morning.

Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the waterfront at Riverfront Park.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Peoria, IL is $854 for a studio, $972 for one bedroom, $1,183 for two bedrooms, and $1,246 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Peoria has increased by 4.2% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$972/month
692 Sq Ft
House
$1,302/month
1,121 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Peoria, IL

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Peoria, IL is 3.9% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Peoria is 18.1% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $854 - $1,246. You can expect to pay 1.2% less for groceries, 4.3% more for utilities, and 6.3% more for transportation.

Compare Cities

$

Transportation

49

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

31

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

46

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Washington Gifted School

Public

Grades 5-8

277 Students

Norwood Elementary School

Public

Grades 5-8

165 Students

Hollis Consolidated Grade School

Public

Grades K-8

135 Students

Ridgeview Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

430 Students

Wilder-Waite Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

383 Students

Washington Gifted School

Public

Grades 5-8

277 Students

Norwood Elementary School

Public

Grades 5-8

165 Students

Hollis Consolidated Grade School

Public

Grades K-8

135 Students

Von Steuben Middle School

Public

Grades 5-8

269 Students

Charles A Lindbergh Middle School

Public

Grades 5-8

268 Students

Richwoods High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,580 Students

Limestone Community High School

Public

Grades 9-12

924 Students

Rolling Acres Middle School

Public

Grades 5-12

329 Students

Peoria High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,447 Students

Manual High School

Public

Grades 9-12

656 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Forest Park Nature Center
  • Luthy Memorial Botanical Garden
  • Peoria Zoo
  • Peoria Riverfront Museum
  • Wildlife Prairie State Park

Airports

  • General Downing - Peoria International

Top Apartments in Peoria

Houses for Rent in Peoria

Property Management Companies in Peoria, IL

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.