5IL wins
6OH wins
Category Overlay
IllinoisOhio
Category Scores
💰 EconomyIL +7.5
IL
39.2
OH
31.7
🛡️ SafetyOH +12.0
IL
54.3
OH
66.3
🏥 HealthIL +32.7
IL
59.2
OH
26.5
🎓 EducationIL +16.3
IL
71.4
OH
55.1
💼 Fiscal HealthOH +34.7
IL
21.9
OH
56.6
📈 GrowthOH +9.5
IL
20.5
OH
30.0
🏠 AffordabilityOH +16.4
IL
67.4
OH
83.8
🌿 EnvironmentOH +4.2
IL
31.0
OH
35.2
🏞️ Outdoor AccessOH +4.2
IL
5.8
OH
10.0
🚇 TransportationIL +9.3
IL
50.1
OH
40.8
🎭 LivabilityIL +2.9
IL
36.8
OH
33.9
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Ohio | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 11,799,448 | IL |
| Median Income | $78,304 | $63,715 | IL |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | 4.1% | OH |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 393 | 303 | OH |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 99 | 92 | OH |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 86% | IL |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 76.5 yr | IL |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.2% | IL |
Illinois vs Ohio: How Do They Compare?
Illinois ranks #31 overall with a composite score of 50.5, earning a C+ grade. Ohio sits at #33 with 49.1 and a C+ grade. Illinois has the edge overall, winning 5 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Illinois has 4.6% unemployment and a $78,304 median income, while Ohio reports 4.1% unemployment and $63,715 median income.
For safety, Illinois's violent crime rate is 393 per 100K compared to 303 in Ohio. Cost of living favors Ohio with an index of 92 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