Illinois vs Ohio: Healthcare Job Market Comparison
Midwest healthcare hubs. Chicago vs. Cleveland Clinic country — different cost structures, strong pay.
Illinois
35,389
physicians in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $84,710
- Avg physician salary
- $372,000
- Cost of living
- 93.4
- Top state income tax
- 4.95%
Ohio
34,055
physicians in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $79,940
- Avg physician salary
- $365,000
- Cost of living
- 94.0
- Top state income tax
- 3.5%
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Illinois | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians in directory | 35,389 | 34,055 |
| Cities served | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Avg RN salary (BLS May 2024) | $84,710 | $79,940 |
| Avg physician salary | $372,000 | $365,000 |
| Cost of living (100 = US avg) | 93.4 | 94.0 |
| State income tax (top rate) | 4.95% | 3.5% |
Salary figures are approximate, drawn from public sources including BLS, Medscape, and Doximity compensation reports.
Top Cities for Providers
Illinois
- Chicago7,767
- CHICAGO3,001
- Springfield730
- Maywood572
- Peoria525
Ohio
- Cleveland3,331
- Columbus2,954
- Cincinnati2,594
- CINCINNATI1,620
- COLUMBUS1,535
Notable Health Systems
Illinois
- • Northwestern Medicine
- • Rush University
- • UChicago Medicine
Ohio
- • Cleveland Clinic
- • Ohio State Wexner
- • University Hospitals
- • OhioHealth
Medical Licensure Boards
Each state has its own medical board. Check fees, required CME hours, and reciprocity before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state pays nurses more, Illinois or Ohio?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), registered nurses in Illinois earn an average of $84,710, compared to $79,940 in Ohio. The gap is roughly $4,770 per year before adjusting for cost of living.
Which state has higher physician salaries, Illinois or Ohio?
Aggregated compensation data shows physicians in Illinois earn approximately $372,000 on average, compared to $365,000 in Ohio. Specialty and practice setting drive much larger variations than state averages suggest.
How does the cost of living compare between Illinois and Ohio?
Using the MERIC Q4 2024 cost-of-living index (100 = national average), Illinois is 93.4 and Ohio is 94.0. Illinois (93.4) is the more affordable of the two, while Ohio (94.0) is more expensive. Housing is typically the largest driver of these differences.
How many physicians practice in Illinois vs. Ohio?
The Ava Health directory lists 35,389 physicians in Illinois across 1,000 cities, and 34,055 physicians in Ohio across 1,000 cities. The full directory also includes nurses and therapists in both states. All data is sourced from the CMS NPPES NPI registry and updated regularly.
Which state has a more favorable tax environment for healthcare providers?
Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95%, while Ohio's top rate is 3.5%. Always factor in property tax, sales tax, and local taxes before making a relocation decision — states with no income tax often offset through higher sales or property taxes.
Other State Comparisons
Florida vs Texas
Two Sun Belt giants. Texas edges ahead on physician salary; Florida wins on retiree-driven demand.
California vs Texas
The nation's two largest healthcare markets. California pays nurses the most; Texas offers lower cost of living.
California vs New York
Coast-to-coast heavyweights. Both pay top 10 nationwide — the decision often comes down to lifestyle.
New York vs New Jersey
Same metro, different tax regime. NJ licensure offers similar pay with lower state income tax.
Texas vs Arizona
No-state-income-tax Texas vs. high-demand Arizona. Both are fast-growing healthcare markets.
North Carolina vs Virginia
Research Triangle vs. DC metro. Different healthcare ecosystems, comparable salaries.