Determining the states most similar to the BoshWash region requires considering various social, cultural, economic, and political factors. One way to answer this complex question is by analyzing the data from the State Similarity Index. The index attempts to quantify how similar states are to each other relative to other states, using a variety of statistics from five broad categories: demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography.
Connecticut is situated in the heart of the BosWash region, located in between Boston and New York City. The state is less racially diverse than New York and New Jersey, but more racially diverse than other states in the region. While not as prominent as some other states in the region, Connecticut’s maritime infrastructure contributes to the broader connectivity and trade activities in the Northeast. Like many states in the BosWash region, it has a highly educated workforce and is home to an Ivy League University, Yale.
Outside of states in the BosWash region, Illinois has the most in common with the region, despite not being geographically adjacent to it. One big reason for this is Chicago, which is much more metropolitan and racially diverse than the rest of the Midwest. Therefore, the demographics, politics, and infrastructure in Illinois are all similar to the Northeast. The Democratic Party has a strong presence in both Illinois and states in BosWash. Furthermore, Illinois has several laws and policies that are favorable to immigrants.
Wyoming is the least similar state to the BosWash region, according to the Index. It is the least densely populated state, after Alaska. It is also landlocked and its climate is much drier than th BosWash region. Its infrastructure is also far different from the Northeast’s. Almost all of its electricity is created by coal power plants, while the BosWash region relies mostly on natural gas and nuclear energy. In addition, Wyoming has a far higher percentage of gun owners and hunters as well. Another difference is more people take public transportation in BosWash.
