7IL wins
4LA wins
Category Overlay
IllinoisLouisiana
Category Scores
💰 EconomyIL +18.6
IL
39.2
LA
20.6
🛡️ SafetyIL +24.6
IL
59.5
LA
34.9
🏥 HealthIL +59.2
IL
59.2
LA
0.0
🎓 EducationIL +55.1
IL
71.4
LA
16.3
💼 Fiscal HealthLA +21.2
IL
21.9
LA
43.1
📈 GrowthLA +1.6
IL
20.5
LA
22.1
🏠 AffordabilityLA +23.4
IL
67.4
LA
90.8
🌿 EnvironmentIL +15.0
IL
31.0
LA
16.0
🏞️ Outdoor AccessLA +4.5
IL
5.8
LA
10.3
🚇 TransportationIL +21.6
IL
56.5
LA
34.9
🎭 LivabilityIL +13.6
IL
36.8
LA
23.2
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Louisiana | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 4,573,749 | IL |
| Median Income | $78,304 | $55,416 | IL |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | 4.3% | LA |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 393 | 520 | IL |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 99 | 88 | LA |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 84% | IL |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 74.4 yr | IL |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.2% | IL |
Illinois vs Louisiana: How Do They Compare?
Illinois ranks #30 overall with a composite score of 52.0, earning a C+ grade. Louisiana sits at #50 with 25.9 and a F grade. Illinois has the edge overall, winning 7 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Illinois has 4.6% unemployment and a $78,304 median income, while Louisiana reports 4.3% unemployment and $55,416 median income.
For safety, Illinois's violent crime rate is 393 per 100K compared to 520 in Louisiana. Cost of living favors Louisiana with an index of 88 vs 99.
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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