C+
Illinois
#31·Midwest
50.5Composite ScoreVSNew Jersey leads
B
New Jersey
#19·Northeast
65.1Composite Score2IL wins
9NJ wins
Category Overlay
IllinoisNew Jersey
Category Scores
💰 EconomyNJ +15.9
IL
39.2
NJ
55.1
🛡️ SafetyNJ +26.4
IL
54.3
NJ
80.7
🏥 HealthNJ +22.4
IL
59.2
NJ
81.6
🎓 EducationNJ +24.5
IL
71.4
NJ
95.9
💼 Fiscal HealthNJ +11.3
IL
21.9
NJ
33.2
📈 GrowthNJ +6.7
IL
20.5
NJ
27.2
🏠 AffordabilityIL +23.0
IL
67.4
NJ
44.4
🌿 EnvironmentNJ +6.4
IL
31.0
NJ
37.4
🏞️ Outdoor AccessNJ +0.7
IL
5.8
NJ
6.5
🚇 TransportationNJ +0.5
IL
50.1
NJ
50.6
🎭 LivabilityIL +6.6
IL
36.8
NJ
30.2
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Illinois | New Jersey | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 9,290,841 | IL |
| Median Income | $78,304 | $97,126 | NJ |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | 4.8% | IL |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 393 | 195 | NJ |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 99 | 109 | IL |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 91% | NJ |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 79.5 yr | NJ |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.7% | NJ |
Illinois vs New Jersey: How Do They Compare?
Illinois ranks #31 overall with a composite score of 50.5, earning a C+ grade. New Jersey sits at #19 with 65.1 and a B grade. New Jersey has the edge overall, winning 9 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Illinois has 4.6% unemployment and a $78,304 median income, while New Jersey reports 4.8% unemployment and $97,126 median income.
For safety, Illinois's violent crime rate is 393 per 100K compared to 195 in New Jersey. Cost of living favors Illinois with an index of 99 vs 109.
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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