Illinois vs South Dakota
Illinois comes out ahead of South Dakota on 402 of 787 statistics where one end is better, to 367 with 18 ties. Illinois leads on Sports, Education and Tech & Business and 6 more categories. South Dakota leads on Agriculture, Infrastructure & Energy and Geography and 4 more categories.
787 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 18 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 402
- Avg. percentile
- 52
- Categories led
- 9
- Wins
- 367
- Avg. percentile
- 52
- Categories led
- 7
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | Illinois | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,735,249 6th of 51 | 943,078 46th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $83,390 18th of 51 | $75,081 31st of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 4.6% tied 40th of 51 | 2.1% 1st of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 11.8% 26th of 51 | 11.9% 27th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 100.0 33rd of 51 | 88.6 6th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $60,333 17th of 51 | $69,153 5th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $71,130 16th of 51 | $57,610 45th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $1,274 28th of 51 | $946 2nd of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 251.0 21st of 51 | 307.5 28th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 6,104 32nd of 48 | 7,633 42nd of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- AgricultureSouth Dakota · 15 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergySouth Dakota · 36 statistics
- GeographySouth Dakota · 25 statistics
- EnvironmentSouth Dakota · 38 statistics
- SportsIllinois · 16 statistics
- EducationIllinois · 51 statistics
- Tech & BusinessIllinois · 48 statistics
- HealthIllinois · 183 statistics
- Facts & TriviaSouth Dakota · 18 statistics
- Crime & SafetyIllinois · 73 statistics
- TravelIllinois · 29 statistics
- CultureSouth Dakota · 78 statistics
- PopulationIllinois · 123 statistics
- EconomicsSouth Dakota · 287 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentIllinois · 125 statistics
- LawIllinois · 66 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | Illinois | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Foreclosure RateForeclosure Rates by State | 762 1st of 51 | 15,535 51st of 51 |
| Attractive People RankMost Attractive States | 1st 1st of 49 | 50th 49th of 49 |
| Average Engagement Ring CostEngagement Ring Cost by State | $9,197 49th of 51 | $3,005 1st of 51 |
| Richest Person AgeRichest Person by State | 37 47th of 47 | 88 tied 4th of 47 |
| Employment RateEmployment Rate by State | 95.6% tied 45th of 51 | 98.1% 1st of 51 |
| FTE Reporter RankMost Corrupt States | 2nd 2nd worst of 49 | 44th 5th best of 49 |
| Average (Minutes)Commute Time by State | 29 45th of 51 | 17.3 1st of 51 |
| Average Commute Time (Minutes)Single Mom Friendly States | 29 tied 44th of 51 | 17 1st of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate JulyUnemployment Rate by State | 4.9 tied 43rd of 51 | 2 1st of 51 |
| SSI ProcurementMost Corrupt States | 86.3 1st of 50 | 60 43rd of 50 |
| Deaths in 1918Spanish Flu Deaths by State | 23,500 47th of 49 | 1,847 6th of 49 |
| Fatality RateFloods by State | 0.13 8th of 47 | 5.99 47th of 47 |
| Best States for Teachers Total ScoreBest States for Teachers | 55.25 5th of 51 | 38.24 47th of 51 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 27.8 43rd of 51 | 17.8 1st of 51 |
| Estimated TaxesLeast Taxed States | $14,778 51st of 51 | $6,321 9th of 51 |
| Student Loan Average Borrower DebtStudent Loan Debt by State | $37,757 45th of 51 | $30,954 3rd of 51 |
| Tax as % of IncomeLeast Taxed States | 16.9% 51st of 51 | 7.2% 9th of 51 |
| AnnualRadiation Therapist Salary by State | $75,815 46th of 50 | $109,009 5th of 50 |
| Fiscal Stability RankWorst States to Live in | 1st worst of 50 | 41st 9th best of 50 |
| HourlyRadiation Therapist Salary by State | $36.45 46th of 50 | $52.41 5th of 50 |
| MonthlyRadiation Therapist Salary by State | $6,317 46th of 50 | $9,084 5th of 50 |
| WeeklyRadiation Therapist Salary by State | $1,457 46th of 50 | $2,096 5th of 50 |
| 90th Percentile WageTeacher Pay by State | $102,270 10th of 51 | $59,840 51st of 51 |
| Natural Environment RankWorst States to Live in | 6th 6th worst of 50 | 46th 5th best of 50 |
| K-12 Spending as % of Taxpayer IncomePer Pupil Spending by State | 4.19% 5th of 51 | 2.63% 45th of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 4.6% tied 40th of 51 | 2.1% 1st of 51 |
| InmatesFederal Prisons by State | 5,414 30th of 36 | 343 2nd of 36 |
| 5G Max Download SpeedStates that have Banned 5G | 216.9 4th of 50 | 136.2 43rd of 50 |
| Local Effective Tax RateHighest Taxed States | 10.2% 44th of 50 | 6.46% 5th of 50 |
| 75th Percentile WageTeacher Pay by State | $82,260 12th of 51 | $52,100 51st of 51 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Illinois or South Dakota?
- Illinois comes out ahead of South Dakota on 402 of 787 statistics where one end is better, to 367 with 18 ties. Illinois leads on Sports, Education and Tech & Business and 6 more categories. South Dakota leads on Agriculture, Infrastructure & Energy and Geography and 4 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Illinois or South Dakota?
- Illinois has a population of 12,735,249 (6th of 51 US states) and South Dakota has 943,078 (46th of 51).
- How do Illinois and South Dakota compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Illinois $83,390 (18th of 51), South Dakota $75,081 (31st of 51) among US states. Illinois ranks better.
- How do Illinois and South Dakota compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): Illinois 4.6% (tied 40th of 51), South Dakota 2.1% (1st of 51) among US states. South Dakota ranks better.
- Where does Illinois beat South Dakota most clearly?
- Illinois ranks far ahead on Foreclosure Rate (Foreclosure Rates by State): 762 vs 15,535; Attractive People Rank (Most Attractive States): 1st vs 50th; SSI Procurement (Most Corrupt States): 86.3 vs 60.
- Where does South Dakota beat Illinois most clearly?
- South Dakota ranks far ahead on Average Engagement Ring Cost (Engagement Ring Cost by State): $3,005 vs $9,197; Richest Person Age (Richest Person by State): 88 vs 37; Employment Rate (Employment Rate by State): 98.1% vs 95.6%.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Illinois or South Dakota.
- Alabama vs Illinois
- Alaska vs Illinois
- Arizona vs Illinois
- Arkansas vs Illinois
- California vs Illinois
- Colorado vs Illinois
- Connecticut vs Illinois
- Delaware vs Illinois
- Alabama vs South Dakota
- Alaska vs South Dakota
- Arizona vs South Dakota
- Arkansas vs South Dakota
- California vs South Dakota
- Colorado vs South Dakota
- Connecticut vs South Dakota
- Delaware vs South Dakota