Dear map makers who show us by-state break-downs: normalize by the population. The first map tells me this: New York, Florida, and Texas have large populations.
Second map is "Percent of housing units that are vacation homes".
My point would be: the second map belongs in the article because it is informative. The first one does not.
Really highlights the IL->WI gradient.
Is that appropriate in this case? I would expect lots of vacation homes be owned by people out of state.
I expect there are exceptions like Manhattan/Long Island. Maybe Denver and a ski condo. But, generally, people are looking for something different in a vacation home from their residence, whether climate or activities that aren't especially nearby for a weekend trip.