A
Connecticut
#10·Northeast
73.5Composite ScoreVSConnecticut leads
C+
Illinois
#30·Midwest
52.0Composite Score9CT wins
2IL wins
Category Overlay
ConnecticutIllinois
Category Scores
💰 EconomyCT +20.6
CT
59.8
IL
39.2
🛡️ SafetyCT +24.7
CT
84.2
IL
59.5
🏥 HealthCT +34.7
CT
93.9
IL
59.2
🎓 EducationCT +26.6
CT
98.0
IL
71.4
💼 Fiscal HealthCT +16.5
CT
38.4
IL
21.9
📈 GrowthCT +16.5
CT
37.0
IL
20.5
🏠 AffordabilityIL +25.2
CT
42.2
IL
67.4
🌿 EnvironmentCT +7.3
CT
38.3
IL
31.0
🏞️ Outdoor AccessCT +18.0
CT
23.8
IL
5.8
🚇 TransportationIL +1.7
CT
54.8
IL
56.5
🎭 LivabilityCT +3.9
CT
40.7
IL
36.8
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Connecticut | Illinois | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,617,176 | 12,549,689 | IL |
| Median Income | $93,228 | $78,304 | CT |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | 4.6% | CT |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 136 | 393 | CT |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 104 | 99 | IL |
| HS Graduation Rate | 89% | 87% | CT |
| Life Expectancy | 79.7 yr | 77.8 yr | CT |
| Pop Growth | +0.8% | +0.3% | CT |
Connecticut vs Illinois: How Do They Compare?
Connecticut ranks #10 overall with a composite score of 73.5, earning a A grade. Illinois sits at #30 with 52.0 and a C+ grade. Connecticut has the edge overall, winning 9 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Connecticut has 4.2% unemployment and a $93,228 median income, while Illinois reports 4.6% unemployment and $78,304 median income.
For safety, Connecticut's violent crime rate is 136 per 100K compared to 393 in Illinois. Cost of living favors Illinois with an index of 99 vs 104.
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Data Sources
📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2023📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration 2022-2023