5IL wins
6MD wins
Category Overlay
IllinoisMaryland
Category Scores
💰 EconomyMD +44.4
IL
39.2
MD
83.6
🛡️ SafetyIL +3.0
IL
54.3
MD
51.3
🏥 HealthMD +26.5
IL
59.2
MD
85.7
🎓 EducationIL +4.1
IL
71.4
MD
67.3
💼 Fiscal HealthMD +33.1
IL
21.9
MD
55.0
📈 GrowthMD +21.7
IL
20.5
MD
42.2
🏠 AffordabilityIL +12.8
IL
67.4
MD
54.6
🌿 EnvironmentMD +15.1
IL
31.0
MD
46.1
🏞️ Outdoor AccessMD +6.0
IL
5.8
MD
11.8
🚇 TransportationIL +6.9
IL
50.1
MD
43.2
🎭 LivabilityIL +13.9
IL
36.8
MD
22.9
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Maryland | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 6,180,253 | IL |
| Median Income | $78,304 | $98,461 | MD |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | 2.9% | MD |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 393 | 415 | IL |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 99 | 104 | IL |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 88% | MD |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 78 yr | MD |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.7% | MD |
Illinois vs Maryland: How Do They Compare?
Illinois ranks #31 overall with a composite score of 50.5, earning a C+ grade. Maryland sits at #18 with 66.9 and a B+ grade. Maryland has the edge overall, winning 6 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Illinois has 4.6% unemployment and a $78,304 median income, while Maryland reports 2.9% unemployment and $98,461 median income.
For safety, Illinois's violent crime rate is 393 per 100K compared to 415 in Maryland. 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 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎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, Migration Data 2021-2022