5IN wins
6OH wins
Category Overlay
IndianaOhio
Category Scores
💰 EconomyIN +10.7
IN
42.4
OH
31.7
🛡️ SafetyOH +7.8
IN
58.5
OH
66.3
🏥 HealthOH +6.1
IN
20.4
OH
26.5
🎓 EducationOH +4.1
IN
51.0
OH
55.1
💼 Fiscal HealthIN +8.7
IN
65.3
OH
56.6
📈 GrowthIN +12.7
IN
42.7
OH
30.0
🏠 AffordabilityOH +2.6
IN
81.2
OH
83.8
🌿 EnvironmentIN +3.2
IN
38.4
OH
35.2
🏞️ Outdoor AccessOH +0.2
IN
9.8
OH
10.0
🚇 TransportationOH +9.1
IN
31.7
OH
40.8
🎭 LivabilityIN +1.1
IN
35.0
OH
33.9
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Indiana | Ohio | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,862,199 | 11,799,448 | OH |
| Median Income | $65,870 | $63,715 | IN |
| Unemployment | 3.5% | 4.1% | IN |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 361 | 303 | OH |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 92 | 92 | Tie |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 86% | IN |
| Life Expectancy | 76.4 yr | 76.5 yr | OH |
| Pop Growth | +0.6% | +0.2% | IN |
Indiana vs Ohio: How Do They Compare?
Indiana ranks #32 overall with a composite score of 49.6, earning a C+ grade. Ohio sits at #33 with 49.1 and a C+ grade. Indiana has the edge overall, winning 5 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Indiana has 3.5% unemployment and a $65,870 median income, while Ohio reports 4.1% unemployment and $63,715 median income.
For safety, Indiana's violent crime rate is 361 per 100K compared to 303 in Ohio. Cost of living favors Ohio with an index of 92 vs 92.
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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