Compare states / Illinois
IL
Compare Illinois with other states
Illinois is the 6th-most populous state, with about 12.7 million residents and 229 people per square mile. Wages are taxed at a top rate of 4.95%; its effective property-tax rate of 1.88% is tied for the highest among the 50 states. The median home value, $292,979, ranks 34th-highest of 50. It is one of 12 states with its own estate tax.
Data: Illinois (tax.illinois.gov, ilsos.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Flat 4.95% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.96% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.88% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | 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. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $15.00. |
| Median home value | $292,979 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.25% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $165.00 |
| Registration (base) | $151.00 |
| Car inspection | Emissions in Chicago area |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually need a new state license |
Parks and people
| State parks | 63 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 1 |
| Population | 12,735,249 |
| Population density | 229.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 58.8% White (non-Hispanic) 18.2% Hispanic 15.3% Black 6.0% Asian |
| Violent crime | 289.2 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Illinois
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 4.95%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Illinois
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.25% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Illinois
- Get an IL driver license within 90 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Illinois.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Emissions in Chicago area.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Illinois elections site.
- Nurse license: Illinois is not in the nurse compact. Plan on a new IL RN application — a compact license typically does not carry over.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Illinois: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Illinois compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 4.95% in Illinois vs 13.3% in California (lower in Illinois).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Illinois are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. 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).
- Estate tax. Illinois estate tax.
- Inheritance tax. Illinois has no state inheritance tax (IL tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Illinois $15.00.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Illinois 6.25%.
- State parks. Illinois 63. Official designated state parks.
- 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).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (IL).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Illinois 90 days.
- Days to title a car. Illinois 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled