1IL wins
10NE wins
Category Overlay
IllinoisNebraska
Category Scores
💰 EconomyNE +20.8
IL
39.2
NE
60.0
🛡️ SafetyNE +6.2
IL
59.5
NE
65.7
🏥 HealthNE +12.2
IL
59.2
NE
71.4
🎓 EducationNE +12.3
IL
71.4
NE
83.7
💼 Fiscal HealthNE +49.5
IL
21.9
NE
71.4
📈 GrowthNE +26.4
IL
20.5
NE
46.9
🏠 AffordabilityNE +15.4
IL
67.4
NE
82.8
🌿 EnvironmentNE +13.1
IL
31.0
NE
44.1
🏞️ Outdoor AccessNE +16.2
IL
5.8
NE
22.0
🚇 TransportationIL +1.0
IL
56.5
NE
55.5
🎭 LivabilityNE +4.5
IL
36.8
NE
41.3
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Nebraska | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 1,978,379 | IL |
| Median Income | $78,304 | $73,423 | IL |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | 2.8% | NE |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 393 | 290 | NE |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 99 | 90 | NE |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 90% | NE |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 78.8 yr | NE |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.7% | NE |
Illinois vs Nebraska: How Do They Compare?
Illinois ranks #30 overall with a composite score of 52.0, earning a C+ grade. Nebraska sits at #8 with 74.9 and a A grade. Nebraska has the edge overall, winning 10 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Illinois has 4.6% unemployment and a $78,304 median income, while Nebraska reports 2.8% unemployment and $73,423 median income.
For safety, Illinois's violent crime rate is 393 per 100K compared to 290 in Nebraska. Cost of living favors Nebraska with an index of 90 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