Quick answer
Texas has lower average 1BR rent ($1,368/mo vs $1,850/mo). State income tax: Texas (None) vs Illinois (4.95%) — on a $120K salary that's $5,940/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Illinois vs Texas
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 Texas at a Glance
| Metric | Illinois | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,850 | $1,368 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $340K ✓ | $372K |
| Cheapest city | Chicago ($1,850) | San Antonio ($1,180) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Chicago ($1,850) | Austin ($1,650) |
| State income tax | 4.95% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 78/100 ✓ | 41/100 |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 5 |
✓ 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: Texas (None).
Salary $80K
$3,960
/year saved in Texas
Salary $120K
$5,940
/year saved in Texas
Salary $200K
$9,900
/year saved in Texas
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.
Texas (TX)
Tax reality
Texas has no state income tax — on $100K that's roughly $5,000-$9,000/year you keep vs California. The catch: Texas property tax averages 1.6-2.3% annually, among the highest in the US. For renters, it's a pure win. For homeowners, a $450K home costs you $7,200-$10,300/year in property tax.
Top cities (5 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summer heat is genuinely dangerous — 100°F+ days stretch from June through September, and the grid has failed multiple times (Uri 2021, summer 2023). Outdoor time is limited to early morning or after sundown.
- ✕Property taxes are the trade-off for no income tax. On a $450K home you'll pay $7,500-$10,500/year in property taxes — the highest in the country alongside New Jersey and Illinois.
- ✕Car dependency is near-total outside a few Austin and Houston neighborhoods. You will drive everywhere, including to the grocery store. Expect $400-$600/mo in all-in car costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illinois or Texas cheaper to live in?
Texas has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,368/mo vs $1,850/mo in Illinois, a $482/mo difference. Home prices: Illinois median is $340K vs $372K.
Illinois vs Texas: which has lower state income tax?
Texas 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 Texas?
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 Texas?
Illinois's largest metros include Chicago. Texas's largest metros include Austin, Houston, Dallas. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Illinois suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.