A comprehensive governor-to-governor comparison across economy, crime, fiscal health & social indicators — covering both terms with head-to-head scorecards.
Compare Governors Newsom and Pritzker across economic, crime, fiscal, and social indicators for both terms.
Former Lt. Governor and Mayor of San Francisco. Recognized for leading on same-sex marriage, gun safety, marijuana reform, universal health care, criminal justice reform, and the minimum wage. Currently serving his second term.
Illinois' 43rd Governor, elected 2018 and reelected 2022. Balanced the state budget every year, eliminated the multi-billion-dollar bill backlog, secured 9 credit rating upgrades, and grew the state economy past $1 trillion. Currently serving his second term.
| Metric | California | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39.2M | 12.7M |
| Median Household Income | $96,334 | $81,702 |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.7% |
| Uninsured Rate | 6.9% | 7.0% |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.5% | 37.2% |
| Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson) | 62.16 | 54.27 |
| 2024 Presidential Result | Harris +20.1 | Harris +10.9 |
| Metric | California | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39.2M | 12.7M |
| Median Household Income | $96,334 | $81,702 |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.7% |
| Uninsured Rate | 6.9% | 7.0% |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.5% | 37.2% |
| Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson) | 62.16 | 54.27 |
| 2024 Presidential Result | Harris +20.1 | Harris +10.9 |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP Growth | +10.75% | +3.30% | +9.65% | Newsom |
| Employment Growth | +2.50% | +0.05% | +3.15% | Newsom |
| Unemployment Change | +2.33% | -4.35% | +12.50% | Pritzker |
| Inflation (CPI) | +19.52% | +18.60% | +18.96% | Pritzker |
| Labor Force Change | -0.64% | -1.23% | -1.11% | Newsom |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP Growth | +10.75% | +3.30% | +9.65% | Newsom |
| Employment Growth | +2.50% | +0.05% | +3.15% | Newsom |
| Unemployment Change | +2.33% | -4.35% | +12.50% | Pritzker |
| Inflation (CPI) | +19.52% | +18.60% | +18.96% | Pritzker |
| Labor Force Change | -0.64% | -1.23% | -1.11% | Newsom |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Income Growth | +18.75% | +16.07% | +18.27% | Newsom |
| Poverty Rate Change | +2.13% | +1.31% | -0.97% | Pritzker |
| Education (BA+ attainment) | +7.14% | +6.98% | +9.37% | Newsom |
| Inequality (Gini) Change | +0.08% | +0.21% | +0.35% | Newsom |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Income Growth | +18.75% | +16.07% | +18.27% | Newsom |
| Poverty Rate Change | +2.13% | +1.31% | -0.97% | Pritzker |
| Education (BA+ attainment) | +7.14% | +6.98% | +9.37% | Newsom |
| Inequality (Gini) Change | +0.08% | +0.21% | +0.35% | Newsom |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainy Day Fund Change | +18.24 pp | +3.86 pp | Newsom |
| Rainy Day Fund Level | 16.38% → 34.62% | 0.01% → 3.87% | |
| Fiscal Health Score | +2.84 → -8.92 | +7.23 → +13.83 | Pritzker |
| Direction | Surplus → Deficit | Surplus → Larger Surplus |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainy Day Fund Change | +18.24 pp | +3.86 pp | Newsom |
| Rainy Day Fund Level | 16.38% → 34.62% | 0.01% → 3.87% | |
| Fiscal Health Score | +2.84 → -8.92 | +7.23 → +13.83 | Pritzker |
| Direction | Surplus → Deficit | Surplus → Larger Surplus |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Change | +14.10% | -19.76% | +3.74% | Pritzker |
| Property Crime Change | -0.62% | -3.64% | -8.54% | Pritzker |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Change | +14.10% | -19.76% | +3.74% | Pritzker |
| Property Crime Change | -0.62% | -3.64% | -8.54% | Pritzker |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP Growth | +5.96% | +4.46% | +7.25% | Newsom |
| Employment Growth | +1.47% | +0.71% | +3.07% | Newsom |
| Unemployment Change | +25.00% | +4.55% | -25.71% | Pritzker |
| Inflation (CPI) | +8.29% | +8.32% | +8.51% | Newsom |
| Labor Force Change | +0.97% | -0.47% | 0.00% | Newsom |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP Growth | +5.96% | +4.46% | +7.25% | Newsom |
| Employment Growth | +1.47% | +0.71% | +3.07% | Newsom |
| Unemployment Change | +25.00% | +4.55% | -25.71% | Pritzker |
| Inflation (CPI) | +8.29% | +8.32% | +8.51% | Newsom |
| Labor Force Change | +0.97% | -0.47% | 0.00% | Newsom |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Income Growth | +4.85% | +3.62% | +5.00% | Newsom |
| Poverty Rate Change | -1.67% | -0.43% | +2.49% | Newsom |
| Education (BA+ attainment) | +1.60% | +2.35% | +1.66% | Pritzker |
| Inequality (Gini) Change | -0.37% | -0.17% | -0.39% | Newsom |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Income Growth | +4.85% | +3.62% | +5.00% | Newsom |
| Poverty Rate Change | -1.67% | -0.43% | +2.49% | Newsom |
| Education (BA+ attainment) | +1.60% | +2.35% | +1.66% | Pritzker |
| Inequality (Gini) Change | -0.37% | -0.17% | -0.39% | Newsom |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainy Day Fund Change | -19.25 pp | +0.39 pp | Pritzker |
| Rainy Day Fund Level | 34.62% → 15.37% | 3.87% → 4.26% | |
| Fiscal Health Score | -8.92 → -10.60 | +13.83 → +6.34 | Pritzker |
| Direction | Deeper Deficit | Surplus (declining) |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainy Day Fund Change | -19.25 pp | +0.39 pp | Pritzker |
| Rainy Day Fund Level | 34.62% → 15.37% | 3.87% → 4.26% | |
| Fiscal Health Score | -8.92 → -10.60 | +13.83 → +6.34 | Pritzker |
| Direction | Deeper Deficit | Surplus (declining) |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Change | -25.72% | -38.99% | -28.23% | Pritzker |
| Property Crime Change | -35.75% | -30.73% | -33.60% | Newsom |
| Metric | Newsom (CA) | Pritzker (IL) | U.S. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Change | -25.72% | -38.99% | -28.23% | Pritzker |
| Property Crime Change | -35.75% | -30.73% | -33.60% | Newsom |
California's economy is larger and grew faster under Newsom, with GDP growth outpacing both Illinois and the U.S. in Term 1. Strong income growth, higher employment gains, and a massive rainy day fund build-up in Term 1 (+18.24%) showcase fiscal ambition. In Term 2, Newsom leads on poverty reduction (-1.67%), inequality improvement, and property crime reduction (-35.75%).
Key Vulnerabilities: Violent crime surged +14.1% in Term 1. Unemployment rose +25% in Term 2 — far worse than IL. The rainy day fund dropped -19.25% in Term 2, reversing Term 1 gains.
Illinois under Pritzker is the fiscal turnaround story — 9 credit rating upgrades, balanced budgets every year, and consistent rainy day fund growth across both terms. Crime performance is standout: violent crime fell -19.76% in Term 1 and -38.99% in Term 2, beating the U.S. average both times. Unemployment improved sharply in Term 1 (-4.35%) and held steady in Term 2.
Key Vulnerabilities: GDP growth significantly trailed both California and the U.S. (+3.3% vs. +10.75% in T1). Employment and labor force growth have been sluggish. Illinois' mature Midwest economy faces structural headwinds that constrain top-line growth.
Data sources: Economy: FRED, BEA, BLS. Social: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Fiscal: NASBO. Crime: FBI UCR. Priorities: Official Governor Websites.