Compare states / Kentucky / to Illinois
KY → IL
Moving from Kentucky to Illinois
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Kentucky vs Illinois using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Kentucky | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 3.5% | 4.95% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.00% | 8.96% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.83% | 2.23% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 1.44% effective | No |
| Median home value | $235,735 | $292,979 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.00% | 6.25% |
| State parks | 45 | 63 |
| National parks | 1 | 0 |
| Population density | 117.0/sq mi | 229.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 213.1 | 289.2 |
| Demographics | 82.4% White (non-Hispanic) 4.6% Hispanic 8.2% Black 1.7% Asian | 58.8% White (non-Hispanic) 18.2% Hispanic 15.3% Black 6.0% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 30 | 90 |
| Days to title a car | 15 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Kentucky to Illinois?
Kentucky: Top listed rate 3.5%. Illinois: Flat 4.95%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $4,200 in Kentucky vs $5,940 in Illinois. If you earned in both states this year, see KY tax agency and IL tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Kentucky to Illinois?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 3.5% vs 4.95%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Illinois
New Illinois residents typically have 30 days to title and register. Inspection: Emissions in Chicago area. The title-tax rate used here is 6.25%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $2,076.00 (tax $1,750.00 + title $165.00 + registration $151.00 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Illinois
Title fee + plate + base registration + 6.25% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Illinois
After you become a Illinois resident, you typically have 90 days to get a Illinois driver license. Bring your Kentucky license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Illinois. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Illinois DMV. Kentucky plates are not a substitute for Illinois registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new Illinois residents from Kentucky
- Get a IL driver license within 90 days. Bring your KY license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Illinois (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Illinois DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Emissions in Chicago area.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 27 days before an election. Illinois elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. KY tax agency · IL tax agency.
- Illinois is a compact holdout. Plan on a full IL RN application — a compact license typically does not carry over.
Biggest differences in moving from Kentucky to Illinois
- Top listed income-tax rate: 3.5% in Kentucky vs 4.95% in Illinois (lower in Kentucky).
- New Illinois residents typically have 90 days to get a driver license (30 days is the Kentucky window in this file).
- Effective real-estate property tax: 0.83% in Kentucky vs 2.23% in Illinois.
- Kentucky lists a vehicle personal-property tax; Illinois does not in this file.
- Illinois is a compact holdout. Plan on a full IL RN application — a compact license typically does not carry over.
Common questions
How does sales tax in Illinois compare to Kentucky?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 6.00% in Kentucky vs 8.96% in Illinois. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Kentucky to Illinois?
The top listed rate goes up: 3.5% in Kentucky vs 4.95% in Illinois. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $4,200 in Kentucky vs $5,940 in Illinois. 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 Kentucky vs Illinois?
Kentucky has 45 state parks and 1 national parks in this file. Illinois has 63 state parks and 0 national parks. State-park counts follow each agency’s own list; national parks are NPS units titled National Park.
How does population density in Illinois compare to Kentucky?
Population density is 117.0 people per square mile in Kentucky vs 229.0 in Illinois.
How do Kentucky and Illinois compare on demographics?
Kentucky: 82.4% White (non-Hispanic), 4.6% Hispanic, 8.2% Black, 1.7% Asian. Illinois: 58.8% White (non-Hispanic), 18.2% Hispanic, 15.3% Black, 6.0% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see moving to Illinois and the reverse route, Illinois → Kentucky.
Your move