6IL wins
5MI wins
Category Overlay
IllinoisMichigan
Category Scores
💰 EconomyIL +14.1
IL
39.2
MI
25.1
🛡️ SafetyIL +5.0
IL
54.3
MI
49.3
🏥 HealthIL +20.4
IL
59.2
MI
38.8
🎓 EducationIL +18.3
IL
71.4
MI
53.1
💼 Fiscal HealthMI +34.3
IL
21.9
MI
56.2
📈 GrowthMI +4.5
IL
20.5
MI
25.0
🏠 AffordabilityMI +8.3
IL
67.4
MI
75.7
🌿 EnvironmentMI +11.0
IL
31.0
MI
42.0
🏞️ Outdoor AccessMI +12.0
IL
5.8
MI
17.8
🚇 TransportationIL +10.9
IL
50.1
MI
39.2
🎭 LivabilityIL +9.9
IL
36.8
MI
26.9
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Michigan | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 10,037,261 | IL |
| Median Income | $78,304 | $68,505 | IL |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | 4.9% | IL |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 393 | 430 | IL |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 99 | 94 | MI |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 82% | IL |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 77 yr | IL |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.3% | Tie |
Illinois vs Michigan: How Do They Compare?
Illinois ranks #31 overall with a composite score of 50.5, earning a C+ grade. Michigan sits at #37 with 45.0 and a C grade. Illinois 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 Michigan reports 4.9% unemployment and $68,505 median income.
For safety, Illinois's violent crime rate is 393 per 100K compared to 430 in Michigan. Cost of living favors Michigan with an index of 94 vs 99.
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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