Quick answer
Ohio has lower average 1BR rent ($1,110/mo vs $1,850/mo). State income tax: Ohio (Up to 3.99%) vs Illinois (4.95%) — on a $120K salary that's $1,152/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Illinois vs Ohio
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 Ohio at a Glance
| Metric | Illinois | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,850 | $1,110 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $340K | $228K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Chicago ($1,850) | Cleveland ($1,050) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Chicago ($1,850) | Columbus ($1,180) |
| State income tax | 4.95% | Up to 3.99% ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 78/100 ✓ | 48/100 |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 3 |
✓ 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: Ohio (Up to 3.99%).
Salary $80K
$768
/year saved in Ohio
Salary $120K
$1,152
/year saved in Ohio
Salary $200K
$1,920
/year saved in Ohio
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.
Ohio (OH)
Tax reality
Ohio has a flat 3.5% state income tax (being phased down). Property tax varies widely by school district — Cleveland area averages 2.1%, Columbus 1.8%, Cincinnati 1.7%. Sales tax 5.75% state plus local to 7.25-8.0%.
Top cities (3 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Winters are genuinely cold and long. Mid-November through March regularly sees subfreezing temps and lake-effect snow in Cleveland particularly (100+ inches annually). Columbus and Cincinnati are milder but still real winters.
- ✕Job market growth has been below US average for decades. If you need to change roles or industries, options are thinner than in Sun Belt cities.
- ✕Population has been flat-to-slightly-growing — not the high-growth story of TX or FL. Amenities, restaurants, and retail reflect that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illinois or Ohio cheaper to live in?
Ohio has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,110/mo vs $1,850/mo in Illinois, a $740/mo difference. Home prices: Ohio median is $228K vs $340K.
Illinois vs Ohio: which has lower state income tax?
Ohio has lower state income tax (Up to 3.99%) vs 4.95% in Illinois. On an $80K salary that's $768/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $1,920/year.
Should I move from Illinois to Ohio?
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 Ohio?
Illinois's largest metros include Chicago. Ohio's largest metros include Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Illinois suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.