Illinois vs Wisconsin: Take-Home Pay Compared
On a $100,000 salary you take home $74,375 in Illinois and $74,752 in Wisconsin. That's $378 more per year ($31 a month) after moving to Wisconsin.
| Illinois | Wisconsin | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| State income tax | $4,805 | $4,428 | -$378 |
| State payroll & local tax | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay / year | $74,375 | $74,752 | $378 |
| Take-home / month | $6,198 | $6,229 | $31 |
| Total tax rate | 25.6% | 25.2% | -0.4% |
To match your Illinois take-home pay, you would need about $99,400 in Wisconsin.
Illinois vs Wisconsin at every salary
Single filer, 2026 tax year, no pre-tax deductions. Difference is Wisconsin minus Illinois.
| Salary | Illinois | Wisconsin | Yearly difference | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,485 | $33,236 | $751 | $63 |
| $50,000 | $40,025 | $40,778 | $753 | $63 |
| $60,000 | $47,565 | $48,320 | $756 | $63 |
| $75,000 | $58,025 | $58,649 | $624 | $52 |
| $100,000 | $74,375 | $74,752 | $378 | $31 |
| $125,000 | $90,661 | $90,792 | $131 | $11 |
| $150,000 | $106,511 | $106,482 | -$29 | -$2 |
| $200,000 | $139,172 | $138,968 | -$204 | -$17 |
| $250,000 | $170,952 | $170,573 | -$379 | -$32 |
Why the difference?
Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are identical in both states, so the gap comes entirely from state-level taxes. Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax, while Wisconsin has income tax rates from 3.50% to 7.65%.
Income tax is only part of the picture: states without an income tax often rely more on sales and property taxes, and housing costs vary far more than taxes do. Use this comparison for your paycheck, then weigh it against rent or mortgage costs in the cities you are considering.
Commuting across the line instead of moving? Read how taxes work when you live in one state and work in another. See the full breakdowns in the Illinois paycheck calculator and the Wisconsin paycheck calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wisconsin cheaper than Illinois for taxes?
For wage earners, Wisconsin takes less of your paycheck. On a $100,000 salary a single filer keeps $378 more per year in Wisconsin than in Illinois ($31 per month). Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax; Wisconsin has income tax rates from 3.50% to 7.65%.
How much is $100,000 in Illinois worth in Wisconsin?
To take home the same $74,375 you net on $100,000 in Illinois, you would need a salary of about $99,400 in Wisconsin.
How much will I save moving from Illinois to Wisconsin?
In income and payroll taxes, about $624 per year at $75,000, $378 at $100,000, and -$29 at $150,000 (negative numbers mean you pay more in Wisconsin). Sales, property, and housing costs are not included.