Compare states / Illinois → Texas
IL → TX
Compare Illinois and Texas
Texas 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 Texas. Median home values are similar: $292,979 in Illinois and $304,099 in Texas. Illinois charges more on both counts: 8.96% average combined sales tax against 8.20%, and a 1.88% effective property-tax rate against 1.40%. Illinois levies its own estate tax; Texas does not.
Moving the other way (Texas to Illinois)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in Texas; for Illinois, see the Illinois page.
Data: Illinois (tax.illinois.gov, ilsos.gov); Texas (comptroller.texas.gov, txdmv.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| Illinois | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 4.95% | 0.0% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.96% | 8.20% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.88% | 1.40% |
| 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 | $7.25 |
| Median home value | $292,979 | $304,099 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| State parks | 63 | 78 |
| National parks | 1 | 2 |
| Population density | 229.0/sq mi | 121.4/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 289.2 | 389.4 |
| Demographics | 58.8% White (non-Hispanic) 18.2% Hispanic 15.3% Black 6.0% Asian | 37.3% White (non-Hispanic) 40.9% Hispanic 13.4% Black 6.7% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 90 | 90 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Illinois to Texas?
Illinois: Flat 4.95%. Texas: No personal income tax. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $5,940 in Illinois vs $0 in Texas. If you earned in both states this year, see IL tax agency and TX tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in Illinois and Texas
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 Texas
New residents of Texas typically have 30 days to title and register. Inspection: Safety + emissions in some counties. The title-tax rate used here is 6.25%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,833.75 (tax $1,750.00 + title $33.00 + registration $50.75 + plate $0.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Texas
Title fee + plate + base registration + 6.25% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Texas
After you become a Texas resident, you typically have 90 days to get a Texas driver license. Bring your Illinois license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Texas. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Texas DMV. Illinois plates are not a substitute for Texas registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: Illinois to Texas
- Get a TX driver license within 90 days. Bring your IL license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Texas (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Texas DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Safety + emissions in some counties.
- Make sure car insurance meets 30/60/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 30 days before an election. Texas elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. IL tax agency · TX tax agency.
- Texas is in the nurse compact; Illinois is not. You may still need a TX license if you change primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Illinois to Texas
- Texas does not tax wages. Illinois’s top listed rate is 4.95% (Flat 4.95%).
- Texas has no state estate tax. Illinois does (Yes — $4M exemption).
- Texas is in the nurse compact; Illinois is not. You may still need a TX license if you change primary residence.
- New residents of Texas typically have 90 days to get a driver license (in Illinois, the window is 90 days).
- Title the car in Texas within 30 days. Illinois plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
Common questions
Will I stop paying state income tax if I move from Illinois to Texas?
Texas 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 Texas. 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 Texas 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. Texas: No. No state estate tax. Federal estate tax can still apply in either state.
Can I keep a compact RN license if I move from Illinois to Texas?
Texas is in the nurse compact; Illinois is not. You may still need a TX license if you change primary residence.
How does the minimum wage in Texas compare with Illinois?
Illinois: $15.00. Statewide minimum wage $15.00. Texas: $7.25. Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). Some cities set a higher local rate. Tipped and youth rates can differ.
How does property tax in Texas compare with Illinois?
Effective real-estate property tax: 1.88% in Illinois vs 1.40% in Texas.
How does sales tax in Texas compare to Illinois?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 8.96% in Illinois vs 8.20% in Texas. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
How do Illinois and Texas compare on demographics?
Illinois: 58.8% White (non-Hispanic), 18.2% Hispanic, 15.3% Black, 6.0% Asian. Texas: 37.3% White (non-Hispanic), 40.9% Hispanic, 13.4% Black, 6.7% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see Texas and Illinois on their own. Moving from Texas to Illinois instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
California → Texas · Illinois → Florida · New York → Texas · Illinois → Indiana · Colorado → Texas
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); Texas does not tax Social Security benefits (TX tax agency).
- Estate tax. Illinois estate tax; Texas has no state estate tax (TX tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Illinois has no state inheritance tax (IL tax agency); Texas has no state inheritance tax (TX tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Illinois $15.00; Texas $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. Illinois 6.25%; Texas 6.25%.
- State parks. Illinois 63; Texas 78. 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, TX 2).
- 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 TX: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. Illinois 90 days; Texas 90 days.
- Days to title a car. Illinois 30 days; Texas 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled