State Comparison Tool
Compare U.S. States
See which state wins on affordability, housing, taxes, laws, politics, geography, and other quick-read metrics.
Build A Comparison
Select two states to compare
Pick any two states and we will stack the headline metrics, show who leads, and link you into each detailed comparison page.
Fast Read
See the headline winner first, then scan the biggest differences.
Bigger Type
Cleaner, larger form controls make state picking easier on desktop and mobile.
Visual Cues
Selected states get a flag preview so the page feels more recognizable before compare.
What You Can Compare
Everything is grouped by category so the page stays easy to scan.
Demographics
4 metrics
Demographics
4 metrics
Population
Total resident population (2020 Census).
Population Density
Number of residents per square mile.
Bachelor's Degree
Adults age 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (ACS 2023).
Advanced Degree
Adults age 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (ACS 2023).
Income
6 metrics
Income
6 metrics
Median Income
Median household income in U.S. dollars.
Regional Price Parity
Official price level relative to the national average (100 = U.S. average).
Poverty Rate
Share of residents below the federal poverty line (ACS 2023).
Employment/Population Ratio
Employed civilian population as a share of the adult population (ACS 2023).
Unemployment Rate
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (BLS, December 2025).
Job Growth
Change in total nonfarm payroll employment from December 2024 to December 2025 (BLS).
Jobs
1 metric
Jobs
1 metric
Minimum Wage
State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).
Quality of Life
6 metrics
Quality of Life
6 metrics
Livability Score
Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).
Best State to Live In
Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.
Cost of Living
Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.
Gas Price
Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).
Electricity Rates
Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).
Commute Time
Average commute time in minutes.
Climate
5 metrics
Climate
5 metrics
Average Temperature
Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
Summer Temperature
Average statewide summer temperature across June, July, and August.
Winter Temperature
Average statewide winter temperature across December, January, and February.
Sunny Days
Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.
Annual Precipitation
Average annual rain and snowfall combined, measured in inches.
Housing
8 metrics
Housing
8 metrics
Median Housing Value
Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.
Median Gross Rent
Median gross monthly rent in U.S. dollars.
Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage
Median selected monthly owner costs for households with a mortgage.
Owner Costs Without Mortgage
Median selected monthly owner costs for households without a mortgage.
Homeownership Rate
Share of occupied housing units that are owner-occupied.
Home Value to Income Ratio
Median home value divided by median household income.
Rent to Income Ratio
Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.
Owner Costs to Income
Median selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income (ACS 2023).
Retirement
1 metric
Retirement
1 metric
Retirement Score
Composite score for comparing states for retirement, combining affordability, taxes, housing, health, safety, and winter climate.
Taxes
3 metrics
Taxes
3 metrics
State Income Tax
Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.
State Sales Tax
State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).
Property Tax
Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).
Politics
7 metrics
Politics
7 metrics
State Color
Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.
Presidential Voting Margin
Signed 2024 presidential margin in percentage points (positive = Democratic, negative = Republican).
Swing State / Battleground
Whether the state was part of the core 2024 battleground map.
Governor Party
Current governor's party (NCSL partisan composition, January 27, 2026).
State House Control
Current partisan control of the lower legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).
State Senate Control
Current partisan control of the upper legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).
Trifecta
Whether one party controls the governorship and both legislative chambers (NCSL, January 27, 2026).
Laws
3 metrics
Laws
3 metrics
Gun Laws Status
Simplified statewide gun-law label based on current Giffords grades: A to B = Restrictive, C to F = Permissive (scorecard modified February 20, 2026).
Alcohol Laws
Whether the state uses a control-state or license-state model for distilled-spirit sales (NABCA directory accessed April 6, 2026).
Marijuana Legalization
Current statewide marijuana status: Legal, Medical, or Illegal (NCSL state cannabis laws page updated June 27, 2025).
Geography
5 metrics
Geography
5 metrics
Land Area
Total land area in square miles.
Highest Point
Highest natural point in the state, with summit elevation.
Statehood
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.
Capital City
The official state capital.
Region
U.S. Census Bureau geographic region.
Health
4 metrics
Health
4 metrics
Life Expectancy
Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).
Older Adult Health Outcomes
Composite score for comparing state health outcomes for older adults, using life expectancy, insurance coverage, and obesity prevalence.
Uninsured Rate
Share of residents without health insurance coverage.
Obesity Rate
Adult obesity prevalence.
Safety
2 metrics
Safety
2 metrics
Violent Crime Rate
Violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022).
Property Crime Rate
Property crime incidents per 100,000 residents.