C+
North Carolina
#27·South
53.5Composite ScoreVSPennsylvania leads
B
Pennsylvania
#25·Northeast
58.2Composite Score4NC wins
7PA wins
Category Overlay
North CarolinaPennsylvania
Category Scores
💰 EconomyNC +1.7
NC
43.5
PA
41.8
🛡️ SafetyPA +8.9
NC
56.0
PA
64.9
🏥 HealthPA +12.3
NC
36.7
PA
49.0
🎓 EducationPA +40.8
NC
38.8
PA
79.6
💼 Fiscal HealthNC +25.9
NC
71.5
PA
45.6
📈 GrowthNC +35.2
NC
65.7
PA
30.5
🏠 AffordabilityNC +6.3
NC
74.9
PA
68.6
🌿 EnvironmentPA +3.4
NC
34.6
PA
38.0
🏞️ Outdoor AccessPA +6.3
NC
13.5
PA
19.8
🚇 TransportationPA +6.8
NC
40.4
PA
47.2
🎭 LivabilityPA +4.1
NC
37.4
PA
41.5
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | North Carolina | Pennsylvania | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,835,491 | 12,961,683 | PA |
| Median Income | $66,880 | $73,823 | PA |
| Unemployment | 3.5% | 4.1% | NC |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 380 | 313 | PA |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 94 | 98 | NC |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 88% | PA |
| Life Expectancy | 76.9 yr | 77.6 yr | PA |
| Pop Growth | +1.2% | +0.3% | NC |
North Carolina vs Pennsylvania: How Do They Compare?
North Carolina ranks #27 overall with a composite score of 53.5, earning a C+ grade. Pennsylvania sits at #25 with 58.2 and a B grade. Pennsylvania has the edge overall, winning 7 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, North Carolina has 3.5% unemployment and a $66,880 median income, while Pennsylvania reports 4.1% unemployment and $73,823 median income.
For safety, North Carolina's violent crime rate is 380 per 100K compared to 313 in Pennsylvania. Cost of living favors North Carolina with an index of 94 vs 98.
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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