The article gives the methodological basis and approaches for comparative evaluation of economic potential of branches on the Vologda region example. The entity of the branch economic potential, factors for its formation and development are determined, the system of indicators for the comprehensive evaluation of branch economic potential is given. The method of comparative evaluation of branches, stages of comparative integral indicators’ value formation is determined. The suggested interval scale of integrated comparative evaluation allows give the qualitative characteristics of the industry economic potential level. The conclusions on the results of the suggested method testing on the Vologda region branches example have been formulated.