C+
Illinois
#31·Midwest
50.5Composite ScoreVSPennsylvania leads
B
Pennsylvania
#25·Northeast
58.2Composite Score2IL wins
9PA wins
Category Overlay
IllinoisPennsylvania
Category Scores
💰 EconomyPA +2.6
IL
39.2
PA
41.8
🛡️ SafetyPA +10.6
IL
54.3
PA
64.9
🏥 HealthIL +10.2
IL
59.2
PA
49.0
🎓 EducationPA +8.2
IL
71.4
PA
79.6
💼 Fiscal HealthPA +23.7
IL
21.9
PA
45.6
📈 GrowthPA +10.0
IL
20.5
PA
30.5
🏠 AffordabilityPA +1.2
IL
67.4
PA
68.6
🌿 EnvironmentPA +7.0
IL
31.0
PA
38.0
🏞️ Outdoor AccessPA +14.0
IL
5.8
PA
19.8
🚇 TransportationIL +2.9
IL
50.1
PA
47.2
🎭 LivabilityPA +4.7
IL
36.8
PA
41.5
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Pennsylvania | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 12,961,683 | PA |
| Median Income | $78,304 | $73,823 | IL |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | 4.1% | PA |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 393 | 313 | PA |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 99 | 98 | PA |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 88% | PA |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 77.6 yr | IL |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.3% | Tie |
Illinois vs Pennsylvania: How Do They Compare?
Illinois ranks #31 overall with a composite score of 50.5, earning a C+ grade. Pennsylvania sits at #25 with 58.2 and a B grade. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania reports 4.1% unemployment and $73,823 median income.
For safety, Illinois's violent crime rate is 393 per 100K compared to 313 in Pennsylvania. Cost of living favors Pennsylvania with an index of 98 vs 99.
Explore These States
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