Quick answer
Nevada has lower average 1BR rent ($1,400/mo vs $1,850/mo). State income tax: Nevada (None) vs Illinois (4.95%) — on a $120K salary that's $5,940/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Illinois vs Nevada
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
Illinois vs Nevada at a Glance
| Metric | Illinois | Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,850 | $1,400 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $340K ✓ | $438K |
| Cheapest city | Chicago ($1,850) | Las Vegas ($1,350) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Chicago ($1,850) | Reno ($1,450) |
| State income tax | 4.95% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 78/100 ✓ | 44/100 |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 2 |
✓ 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: Nevada (None).
Salary $80K
$3,960
/year saved in Nevada
Salary $120K
$5,940
/year saved in Nevada
Salary $200K
$9,900
/year saved in Nevada
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
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.
Nevada (NV)
Tax reality
Nevada has no state income tax, no estate tax, and no corporate income tax — one of the most tax-friendly states in the US. Funded by tourism and gaming via sales tax (6.85% state + local to 8.375%) and gaming revenue. Property tax is moderate (~0.6% effective).
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summer heat in Las Vegas — 100°F+ June through September, occasionally 115°F+. Outdoor life stops in peak summer.
- ✕Water security is a structural concern. Colorado River allocations are being reduced; Lake Mead water levels dropped sharply through 2022. Las Vegas has tight water-use restrictions (no front lawns allowed for new homes).
- ✕Las Vegas economy is heavily exposed to tourism/gaming. Recessions hit Vegas harder than average — 2008 was brutal, and COVID was painful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illinois or Nevada cheaper to live in?
Nevada has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,400/mo vs $1,850/mo in Illinois, a $450/mo difference. Home prices: Illinois median is $340K vs $438K.
Illinois vs Nevada: which has lower state income tax?
Nevada has lower state income tax (None) vs 4.95% in Illinois. On an $80K salary that's $3,960/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $9,900/year.
Should I move from Illinois to Nevada?
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.
What are the best cities in Illinois vs Nevada?
Illinois's largest metros include Chicago. Nevada's largest metros include Las Vegas, Reno. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Illinois suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.