Compare states / Illinois / to Arizona
IL → AZ
Moving from Illinois to Arizona
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Illinois vs Arizona using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Illinois | Arizona | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 4.95% | 2.5% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.96% | 8.52% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 2.23% | 0.63% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | Yes — 1.68% effective |
| Median home value | $292,979 | $425,807 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.25% | 5.60% |
| State parks | 63 | 33 |
| National parks | 0 | 3 |
| Population density | 229.0/sq mi | 68.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 289.2 | 421.9 |
| Demographics | 58.8% White (non-Hispanic) 18.2% Hispanic 15.3% Black 6.0% Asian | 53.4% White (non-Hispanic) 32.1% Hispanic 4.8% Black 3.7% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 90 | 10 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 15 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Illinois to Arizona?
Illinois: Flat 4.95%. Arizona: Flat 2.5%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $5,940 in Illinois vs $3,000 in Arizona. If you earned in both states this year, see IL tax agency and AZ tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Illinois to Arizona?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 4.95% vs 2.5%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Arizona
New Arizona residents typically have 15 days to title and register. Inspection: Emissions in Maricopa & Pima. The title-tax rate used here is 5.60%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,616.00 (tax $1,568.00 + title $4.00 + registration $32.00 + plate $12.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Arizona
Title fee + plate + base registration + 5.60% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Arizona
After you become a Arizona resident, you typically have 10 days to get a Arizona driver license. Bring your Illinois license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Arizona. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Arizona DMV. Illinois plates are not a substitute for Arizona registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new Arizona residents from Illinois
- Get a AZ driver license within 10 days. Bring your IL license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Arizona (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Arizona DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 15 days. Inspection: Emissions in Maricopa & Pima.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/15.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 29 days before an election. Arizona elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. IL tax agency · AZ tax agency.
- Arizona is in the nurse compact; Illinois is not. You may still need a AZ license if you change primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Illinois to Arizona
- New Arizona residents typically have 10 days to get a driver license (90 days is the Illinois window in this file).
- Top listed income-tax rate: 4.95% in Illinois vs 2.5% in Arizona (lower in Arizona).
- Effective real-estate property tax: 2.23% in Illinois vs 0.63% in Arizona.
- Arizona lists a vehicle personal-property tax (1.68% effective); Illinois does not.
- Arizona is in the nurse compact; Illinois is not. You may still need a AZ license if you change primary residence.
Common questions
How does sales tax in Arizona compare to Illinois?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 8.96% in Illinois vs 8.52% in Arizona. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Illinois to Arizona?
The top listed rate goes down: 4.95% in Illinois vs 2.5% in Arizona. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $5,940 in Illinois vs $3,000 in Arizona. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
How many state and national parks are in Illinois vs Arizona?
Illinois has 63 state parks and 0 national parks in this file. Arizona has 33 state parks and 3 national parks. State-park counts follow each agency’s own list; national parks are NPS units titled National Park.
How does population density in Arizona compare to Illinois?
Population density is 229.0 people per square mile in Illinois vs 68.0 in Arizona.
How do Illinois and Arizona compare on demographics?
Illinois: 58.8% White (non-Hispanic), 18.2% Hispanic, 15.3% Black, 6.0% Asian. Arizona: 53.4% White (non-Hispanic), 32.1% Hispanic, 4.8% Black, 3.7% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see moving to Arizona and the reverse route, Arizona → Illinois.
California → Arizona · Illinois → Texas · Illinois → Florida · Illinois → Indiana
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