Compare states / Illinois → Florida
IL → FL
Compare Illinois and Florida
Florida has no state income tax on wages, while Illinois taxes them at a top rate of 4.95%: on $120,000 of single-filer income that is about $5,940 a year in Illinois and $0 in Florida. The median home in Florida is valued at $378,667, about 29% more than Illinois’s $292,979. Illinois charges more on both counts: 8.96% average combined sales tax against 6.98%, and a 1.88% effective property-tax rate against 0.78%. Illinois levies its own estate tax; Florida does not.
Moving the other way (Florida to Illinois)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in Florida; for Illinois, see the Illinois page.
Data: Illinois (tax.illinois.gov, ilsos.gov); Florida (floridarevenue.gov, flhsmv.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| Illinois | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 4.95% | 0.0% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.96% | 6.98% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.88% | 0.78% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | No |
| Social Security tax | No | No |
| Estate tax | Yes — $4M exemption | No |
| Inheritance tax | No | No |
| Minimum wage | $15.00 | $14.00 |
| Median home value | $292,979 | $378,667 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.25% | 6.00% |
| State parks | 63 | 58 |
| National parks | 1 | 3 |
| Population density | 229.0/sq mi | 441.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 289.2 | 267.1 |
| Demographics | 58.8% White (non-Hispanic) 18.2% Hispanic 15.3% Black 6.0% Asian | 51.9% White (non-Hispanic) 27.1% Hispanic 16.8% Black 3.0% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 90 | 30 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Illinois to Florida?
Illinois: Flat 4.95%. Florida: No personal income tax. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $5,940 in Illinois vs $0 in Florida. If you earned in both states this year, see IL tax agency and FL tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in Illinois and Florida
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 4.95% vs 0.0%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Florida
New residents of Florida typically have 30 days to title and register. Inspection: No statewide inspection. The title-tax rate used here is 6.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $2,008.25 (tax $1,680.00 + title $75.25 + registration $225.00 + plate $28.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Florida
Title fee + plate + base registration + 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Florida
After you become a Florida resident, you typically have 30 days to get a Florida driver license. Bring your Illinois license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Florida. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Florida DMV. Illinois plates are not a substitute for Florida registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: Illinois to Florida
- Get an FL driver license within 30 days. Bring your IL license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Florida (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Florida DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: No statewide inspection.
- Make sure car insurance meets PIP $10,000 + PD $10,000.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 29 days before an election. Florida elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. IL tax agency · FL tax agency.
- Florida is in the nurse compact; Illinois is not. You may still need an FL license if you change primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Illinois to Florida
- Florida does not tax wages. Illinois’s top listed rate is 4.95% (Flat 4.95%).
- New residents of Florida typically have 30 days to get a driver license (in Illinois, the window is 90 days).
- Florida has no state estate tax. Illinois does (Yes — $4M exemption).
- Effective real-estate property tax: 1.88% in Illinois vs 0.78% in Florida.
- Florida is in the nurse compact; Illinois is not. You may still need an FL license if you change primary residence.
Common questions
Will I stop paying state income tax if I move from Illinois to Florida?
Florida does not tax wages; Illinois’s top listed rate is 4.95%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $5,940 in Illinois vs $0 in Florida. 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.
Does Florida drop the state estate tax I would have in Illinois?
Illinois: Yes — $4M exemption. Illinois estate tax applies when the estate exceeds $4 million. The Attorney General administers the tax (Form 700). Graduated rates go up to 16%. Unused exemption is not portable to a surviving spouse. Florida: No. No state estate tax. Federal estate tax can still apply in either state.
How does property tax in Florida compare with Illinois?
Effective real-estate property tax: 1.88% in Illinois vs 0.78% in Florida.
Can I keep a compact RN license if I move from Illinois to Florida?
Florida is in the nurse compact; Illinois is not. You may still need an FL license if you change primary residence.
How does sales tax in Florida compare to Illinois?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 8.96% in Illinois vs 6.98% in Florida. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
How long do I have to get a Florida driver license after leaving Illinois?
New residents of Florida typically have 30 days after establishing residency (in Illinois, the window is 90 days).
How does the minimum wage in Florida compare with Illinois?
Illinois: $15.00. Statewide minimum wage $15.00. Florida: $14.00. Statewide minimum wage $14.00. Some cities set a higher local rate. Tipped and youth rates can differ.
Related moves
Also see Florida and Illinois on their own. Moving from Florida to Illinois instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
New York → Florida · Illinois → Texas · New Jersey → Florida · Pennsylvania → Florida · Massachusetts → Florida · Florida → Maryland · Ohio → Florida
Your move
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- Top state income-tax rate. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Illinois does not tax Social Security benefits (IL tax agency); Florida does not tax Social Security benefits (FL tax agency).
- Estate tax. Illinois estate tax; Florida has no state estate tax (FL tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Illinois has no state inheritance tax (IL tax agency); Florida has no state inheritance tax (FL tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Illinois $15.00; Florida $14.00.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. Illinois 6.25%; Florida 6.00%.
- State parks. Illinois 63; Florida 58. Official designated state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, and similar units omitted).
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; IL 1, FL 3).
- Population density. U.S. Census Bureau PopClock, people per sq. mi. · state population estimates.
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (IL vs FL: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. Illinois 90 days; Florida 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Illinois 30 days; Florida 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled