Compare states / Illinois → Indiana
IL → IN
Compare Illinois and Indiana
Illinois’s top income-tax rate of 4.95% is 2 points above Indiana’s 2.95%; at $120,000 of single-filer income the bracket estimate is $5,940 a year versus $3,540. The median home in Illinois is valued at $292,979, about 13% more than Indiana’s $259,148. Illinois charges more on both counts: 8.96% average combined sales tax against 7.00%, and a 1.88% effective property-tax rate against 0.76%. Illinois levies its own estate tax; Indiana does not.
Moving the other way (Indiana to Illinois)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in Indiana; for Illinois, see the Illinois page.
Data: Illinois (tax.illinois.gov, ilsos.gov); Indiana (in.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| Illinois | Indiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 4.95% | 2.95% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.96% | 7.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.88% | 0.76% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | Yes — 1.20% effective |
| Social Security tax | No | No |
| Estate tax | Yes — $4M exemption | No |
| Inheritance tax | No | No |
| Minimum wage | $15.00 | $7.25 |
| Median home value | $292,979 | $259,148 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.25% | 7.00% |
| State parks | 63 | 24 |
| National parks | 1 | 1 |
| Population density | 229.0/sq mi | 196.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 289.2 | 312.9 |
| Demographics | 58.8% White (non-Hispanic) 18.2% Hispanic 15.3% Black 6.0% Asian | 76.0% White (non-Hispanic) 8.2% Hispanic 9.6% Black 2.6% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 90 | 60 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 60 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Illinois to Indiana?
Illinois: Flat 4.95%. Indiana: Top listed rate 2.95%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $5,940 in Illinois vs $3,540 in Indiana. If you earned in both states this year, see IL tax agency and IN tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in Illinois and Indiana
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 4.95% vs 2.95%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Indiana
New residents of Indiana typically have 60 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 7.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $2,006.35 (tax $1,960.00 + title $15.00 + registration $21.35 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Indiana
Title fee + plate + base registration + 7.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Indiana
After you become an Indiana resident, you typically have 60 days to get an Indiana driver license. Bring your Illinois license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Indiana. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Indiana DMV. Illinois plates are not a substitute for Indiana registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: Illinois to Indiana
- Get an IN driver license within 60 days. Bring your IL license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Indiana (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Indiana DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 60 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 15 days before an election. Indiana elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. IL tax agency · IN tax agency.
- Indiana is in the nurse compact; Illinois is not. You may still need an IN license if you change primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Illinois to Indiana
- Top listed income-tax rate: 4.95% in Illinois vs 2.95% in Indiana (lower in Indiana).
- New residents of Indiana typically have 60 days to get a driver license (in Illinois, the window is 90 days).
- Indiana has no state estate tax. Illinois does (Yes — $4M exemption).
- Title the car in Indiana within 60 days. Illinois plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- Indiana lists a vehicle personal-property tax (1.20% effective); Illinois does not.
Common questions
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Illinois to Indiana?
The top listed rate goes down: 4.95% in Illinois vs 2.95% in Indiana. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $5,940 in Illinois vs $3,540 in Indiana. 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 Indiana 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. Indiana: No. No state estate tax. Federal estate tax can still apply in either state.
Does Indiana tax vehicles as personal property unlike Illinois?
Indiana lists a vehicle personal-property tax (1.20% effective). Illinois does not have one. Excise tax in lieu of property tax, about 1.20% effective.
How does property tax in Indiana compare with Illinois?
Effective real-estate property tax: 1.88% in Illinois vs 0.76% in Indiana.
Can I keep a compact RN license if I move from Illinois to Indiana?
Indiana is in the nurse compact; Illinois is not. You may still need an IN license if you change primary residence.
How does sales tax in Indiana compare to Illinois?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 8.96% in Illinois vs 7.00% in Indiana. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
How does the minimum wage in Indiana compare with Illinois?
Illinois: $15.00. Statewide minimum wage $15.00. Indiana: $7.25. Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). Some cities set a higher local rate. Tipped and youth rates can differ.
Related moves
Also see Indiana and Illinois on their own. Moving from Indiana to Illinois instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
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); Indiana does not tax Social Security benefits (IN tax agency).
- Estate tax. Illinois estate tax; Indiana has no state estate tax (IN tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Illinois has no state inheritance tax (IL tax agency); Indiana has no state inheritance tax (IN tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Illinois $15.00; Indiana $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. Illinois 6.25%; Indiana 7.00%.
- State parks. Illinois 63; Indiana 24. 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, IN 1).
- 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 IN: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. Illinois 90 days; Indiana 60 days.
- Days to title a car. Illinois 30 days; Indiana 60 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled