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Illinois vs Texas Tax Comparison

Illinois vs Texas — Take-Home Pay Line Chart

This line chart compares your annual take-home pay in Illinois vs Texasacross five salary levels ($50K–$200K). The gap between the two lines shows exactly how much more (or less) you'd take home by choosing one state over the other.

Illinois vs Texas: Annual Take-Home PaySingle filer, standard deduction, 2026 tax year$0$30,000$60,000$90,000$120,000$150,000$50,000$75,000$100,000$150,000$200,000Gross Annual Salary$40,017$58,017$74,367$106,503$139,164$42,355$61,593$79,180$113,791$148,927Illinois (IL)Texas (TX)

At $75K Salary

Illinois: $58,017
Texas: $61,593
Texas wins by $3,575/yr

At $150K Salary

Illinois: $106,503
Texas: $113,791
Texas wins by $7,288/yr

10-Year Cumulative

At $100K salary, the difference compounds to $48,126 over 10 years — before investment returns.

* Chart shows annual net pay (after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax). NYC residents pay additional city tax not reflected in this chart. Use the interactive calculator above for personalized scenarios.

Illinois vs Texas Taxes — Quick Verdict

Comparing Illinois (4.95% flat income tax) vs Texas (0% (no state income tax) income tax) for the 2026 tax year, Texas saves you about $3,575 per year on a $75,000 single-filer salary. The gap widens at higher incomes — on $150,000, Texas saves you approximately $9,763 annually.

The biggest tax difference comes from state income tax. Illinois's rate is 4.95% flat, while Texas's rate is 0% (no state income tax). However, also consider property taxes — on a $400,000 home, Illinois charges about $7,120/year (1.78%) vs Texas's $6,840/year (1.71%).

Take-Home Pay Comparison: Illinois vs Texas

This table shows your annual take-home pay (after federal tax, FICA, and state tax) at different salary levels for single filers claiming the standard deduction. The "Difference" column shows how much more (or less) you'd take home living in Texas vs Illinois.

SalaryIllinois (IL)Texas (TX)DifferenceWinner
$50,000$40,017$42,355+$2,338TX
$75,000$58,017$61,593+$3,575TX
$100,000$74,367$79,180+$4,813TX
$150,000$106,503$113,791+$7,288TX
$200,000$139,164$148,927+$9,763TX

* Calculations assume single filing status, 2026 standard deduction, and no pre-tax contributions (401(k), HSA). NYC residents pay additional city tax not shown in this table.

Tax Breakdown on $100,000 Salary

Illinois — Tax Breakdown

Gross Salary$100,000
− Federal Tax$13,170
− FICA (SS + Medicare)$7,650
− State Tax$4,813
= Take-Home$74,367
Effective Tax Rate0.3%

Texas — Tax Breakdown

Gross Salary$100,000
− Federal Tax$13,170
− FICA (SS + Medicare)$7,650
− State Tax$0
= Take-Home$79,180
Effective Tax Rate0.2%

On a $100,000 salary, your take-home in Illinois is $74,367 vs $79,180 in Texas. The difference of $4,813 per year (Texas wins) compounds significantly over a career — over 10 years, that's approximately $48,126 in additional take-home pay (before investment returns).

Beyond Income Tax: Property & Sales Tax

Income tax isn't the whole story. Both Illinois and Texas collect revenue from other sources, and these can offset (or worsen) income tax differences.

Property Tax (on $400K Home)

Illinois$7,120/yr (1.78%)
Texas$6,840/yr (1.71%)
Annual Difference-$280

Sales Tax (Combined Avg.)

Illinois8.86%
Texas8.20%
On $40K Spending-$264 diff

Illinois: Personal exemption of $2,775; no standard deduction. Texas: No state income tax; higher property taxes offset savings. Use our Relocation Calculator for a personalized salary comparison factoring in cost-of-living differences.

Methodology

Our Illinois vs Texas tax comparison uses the official 2026 tax brackets published by the IRS and each state's Department of Revenue. For single filers, we apply:

  • Federal standard deduction of $16,100 with progressive brackets from 10% to 37%
  • FICA: 6.2% Social Security (cap at $184,500) + 1.45% Medicare on all wages
  • Illinois state tax: 4.95% flat (4.95% effective)
  • Texas state tax: 0% (no state income tax) (0.00% effective)
  • No pre-tax deductions (401(k), HSA, FSA) — for those, use our Paycheck Calculator

All figures are for single filers. Married filing jointly and head of household will have different results — see our 2026 Federal Tax Brackets guide for full bracket details.

Related State Tax Resources

Illinois vs Texas Taxes — Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois or Texas have higher income tax?+
Illinois has an income tax rate of 4.95% flat, while Texas has 0% (no state income tax). Illinois has the higher income tax burden.
Which state has higher property taxes: Illinois or Texas?+
Illinois has an average effective property tax rate of 1.78%, compared to Texas's 1.71%. Illinois has higher property taxes, which is important to consider even if income tax is lower.
Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Texas overall?+
The answer depends on your income level and spending habits. Illinois charges 4.95% flat income tax and 1.78% property tax, while Texas charges 0% (no state income tax) income tax and 1.71% property tax. Use our side-by-side comparison table above to see take-home pay at $75K and $150K salary levels.
Should I move from Illinois to Texas for tax savings?+
Moving from Illinois to Texas could save you money on income taxes, but consider the full picture: property taxes, cost of living, housing prices, and quality of life. Use our relocation calculator for a personalized salary comparison. No state income tax; higher property taxes offset savings.
How do sales taxes compare between Illinois and Texas?+
Illinois has an average combined sales tax rate of 8.9%, while Texas has 8.2%. Over a year of typical spending, this difference can add up to hundreds of dollars.
How much would I save moving from Illinois to Texas on a $75K salary?+
On a $75,000 single-filer salary, moving from Illinois to Texas would change your annual take-home pay by +$3,575. Texas is the better choice financially. This calculation uses 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and each state's standard deduction. Factor in cost-of-living differences, housing prices, and personal lifestyle before deciding.
Does Illinois or Texas have higher property taxes?+
Illinois's average effective property tax rate is 1.78%, while Texas's is 1.71%. On a $400,000 home, that's $7,120/year in Illinois vs $6,840/year in Texas — a difference of $280/year. Texas has the lower property tax. Property taxes can offset income tax savings significantly, especially for homeowners.

Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay

Ready to see your actual numbers? Use our free tax calculators for Illinois and Texas — no sign-up, no email, instant results.

Rachel Mitchell, CPA

Lead Tax Analyst & Editorial Director, TheTaxCalc

Rachel Mitchell is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Illinois with over 12 years of experience in individual and small-business taxation. She specializes in federal and state income tax compliance, FICA optimization, payroll tax strategy, and multi-state tax planning. Rachel holds an MS in Taxation from Golden Gate University and a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Illinois CPA Society. Before joining TheTaxCalc, Rachel spent 8 years at a Big Four accounting firm advising high-net-worth clients on tax-efficient wealth strategies.

Reviewed: January 2026Tax data verified against IRS Publication 15-T & state revenue departments