3IL wins
8WY wins
Category Overlay
IllinoisWyoming
Category Scores
💰 EconomyWY +9.2
IL
39.2
WY
48.4
🛡️ SafetyWY +20.3
IL
59.5
WY
79.8
🏥 HealthIL +12.3
IL
59.2
WY
46.9
🎓 EducationIL +34.7
IL
71.4
WY
36.7
💼 Fiscal HealthWY +57.5
IL
21.9
WY
79.4
📈 GrowthWY +23.8
IL
20.5
WY
44.3
🏠 AffordabilityWY +5.0
IL
67.4
WY
72.4
🌿 EnvironmentWY +15.6
IL
31.0
WY
46.6
🏞️ Outdoor AccessWY +89.9
IL
5.8
WY
95.7
🚇 TransportationIL +4.5
IL
56.5
WY
52.0
🎭 LivabilityWY +20.4
IL
36.8
WY
57.2
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Wyoming | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 584,057 | IL |
| Median Income | $78,304 | $71,847 | IL |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | 3.5% | WY |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 393 | 203 | WY |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 99 | 91 | WY |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 82% | IL |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 77.5 yr | IL |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.6% | WY |
Illinois vs Wyoming: How Do They Compare?
Illinois ranks #30 overall with a composite score of 52.0, earning a C+ grade. Wyoming sits at #16 with 69.4 and a B+ grade. Wyoming has the edge overall, winning 8 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Illinois has 4.6% unemployment and a $78,304 median income, while Wyoming reports 3.5% unemployment and $71,847 median income.
For safety, Illinois's violent crime rate is 393 per 100K compared to 203 in Wyoming. Cost of living favors Wyoming with an index of 91 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