Quick answer
Georgia has lower average 1BR rent ($1,550/mo vs $1,850/mo). State income tax: Illinois (4.95%) vs Georgia (5.49%) — on a $120K salary that's $648/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Georgia vs Illinois
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Georgia vs Illinois at a Glance
| Metric | Georgia | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,550 ✓ | $1,850 |
| Avg median home price | $358K | $340K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Savannah ($1,450) ✓ | Chicago ($1,850) |
| Priciest city | Atlanta ($1,650) | Chicago ($1,850) |
| State income tax | 5.49% | 4.95% ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 47/100 | 78/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 2 | 1 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Illinois (4.95%).
Salary $80K
$432
/year saved in Illinois
Salary $120K
$648
/year saved in Illinois
Salary $200K
$1,080
/year saved in Illinois
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Georgia (GA)
Tax reality
Georgia has a 5.39% flat state income tax (being phased down further). Property tax is low (~0.8% effective). Sales tax is 4% state + local, totaling 7-8% in most metros. No estate tax. Favorable tax environment overall for moderate earners.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Traffic is extraordinary. I-285 (the Perimeter) and I-85 into downtown are regularly 60-90 minute crawls during rush hour. Plan your residence and workplace carefully.
- ✕Summer heat is Deep-South-humid. 90°F + 75% humidity from June through early September. Less extreme than Phoenix, more oppressive than Nashville.
- ✕Atlanta sprawl means car dependency everywhere except the few walkable neighborhoods (Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Decatur).
Illinois (IL)
Tax reality
Illinois has a flat 4.95% state income tax (moderate) — but property taxes are among the highest in the US, averaging 2.1% effective. On a $350K Chicago home that's $7,400/year. Combined tax burden is higher than it looks. The state's pension underfunding creates long-term fiscal risk for homeowners.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Property tax is brutal — Cook County averages 2.3% effective. On a $500K home, that's $11,500/year. Homeowners feel this every month.
- ✕Chicago winters are genuinely cold. Lake-effect snow, mid-December through March subzero streaks, and winds off Lake Michigan can make it feel -20°F. This is the biggest filter for people considering moving here.
- ✕The state fiscal situation (pension debt, budget pressures) drives ongoing policy uncertainty — property tax, sales tax, and various fees continue to drift upward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgia or Illinois cheaper to live in?
Georgia has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,550/mo vs $1,850/mo in Illinois, a $300/mo difference. Home prices: Illinois median is $340K vs $358K.
Georgia vs Illinois: which has lower state income tax?
Illinois has lower state income tax (4.95%) vs 5.49% in Georgia. On an $80K salary that's $432/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $1,080/year.
Should I move from Georgia to Illinois?
Georgia has a 5.39% flat state income tax (being phased down further). Property tax is low (~0.8% effective). Sales tax is 4% state + local, totaling 7-8% in most metros. No estate tax. Favorable tax environment overall for moderate earners.
What are the best cities in Georgia vs Illinois?
Georgia's largest metros include Atlanta, Savannah. Illinois's largest metros include Chicago. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Georgia suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.