Quick answer
Illinois has lower average 1BR rent ($1,850/mo vs $2,100/mo). State income tax: Illinois (4.95%) vs Hawaii (11% (top)) — on a $120K salary that's $2,460/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Hawaii 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
Hawaii vs Illinois at a Glance
| Metric | Hawaii | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $2,100 | $1,850 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $875K | $340K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Chicago ($1,850) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Chicago ($1,850) |
| State income tax | 11% (top) | 4.95% ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 64/100 | 78/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 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
$1,640
/year saved in Illinois
Salary $120K
$2,460
/year saved in Illinois
Salary $200K
$4,100
/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
Hawaii (HI)
Tax reality
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Groceries cost 40–60% more than mainland USA. A gallon of milk runs $8–10 in Honolulu.
- ✕Housing median price $1.1M on Oahu (2024). Rental vacancy below 2%—nearly impossible to find apartments.
- ✕Limited job market outside tourism, military, and government. Career mobility requires leaving.
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 Hawaii or Illinois cheaper to live in?
Illinois has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,850/mo vs $2,100/mo in Hawaii, a $250/mo difference. Home prices: Illinois median is $340K vs $875K.
Hawaii vs Illinois: which has lower state income tax?
Illinois has lower state income tax (4.95%) vs 11% (top) in Hawaii. On an $80K salary that's $1,640/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $4,100/year.
Should I move from Hawaii to Illinois?
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
What are the best cities in Hawaii vs Illinois?
Hawaii's largest metros include Honolulu. Illinois's largest metros include Chicago. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Hawaii suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.