Connecticut vs Illinois Paycheck Comparison 2026

Annual salary

$

Annual salary

$
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
Filing status
$
$

You take home $338/yr more in Connecticut

$28/mo · $13/paycheck more

Connecticut
Illinois

$58,218/yr in Connecticut vs $57,880/yr in Illinois.

Connecticut

Take-home per paycheck

$2,239.13

$58,218/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$3,3755%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$58,21878%
Tax rates
Effective: 22.4%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 5.5%

Illinois

Take-home per paycheck

$2,226.15

$57,880/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$3,7135%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$57,88077%
Tax rates
Effective: 22.8%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 5.0%

Cost of living comparison

Cost of living in Connecticut is 20% higher than in Illinois.

At a $75,000 salary, take-home pay of $58,218 in Connecticut has the purchasing power of $69,861 in Illinois terms.

After adjusting for cost of living, Connecticut comes out ahead by $11,981/yr.

Housing
Median home$405,000vs$260,000
Connecticut
56% more
Illinois
Avg 2BR rent$1,712/movs$1,180/mo
Connecticut
45% more
Illinois
Groceries
Index
Connecticut
4% more
Illinois
Transportation
Regular gas$3.45/galvs$3.60/gal
Connecticut
Illinois
4% more
Utilities
Electric bill$216/movs$108/mo
Connecticut
100% more
Illinois
Healthcare
Index
Connecticut
7% more
Illinois
Childcare & Misc
Infant childcare$20,254/yrvs$16,107/yr
Connecticut
26% more
Illinois

Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.

Tax system comparison

Connecticut: Connecticut uses a progressive income tax with 7 brackets ranging from 2.00% to 6.99%.

Illinois: Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)

Salary Connecticut take-home Illinois take-home Difference
$50,000 $40,355 $39,880 + $475
$75,000 $58,218 $57,880 + $338
$100,000 $74,430 $74,230 + $200
$150,000 $106,041 $106,366 -$325
$200,000 $138,177 $139,027 -$850
$300,000 $197,727 $200,327 -$2,600

Positive values mean higher take-home in Connecticut. Assumes single filer, no deductions.

FAQ

Which state has lower taxes, Connecticut or Illinois?

At a $100,000 salary, Connecticut results in $200 more annual take-home pay. Connecticut uses a progressive income tax with 7 brackets ranging from 2.00% to 6.99%. Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

How much more do you take home in Connecticut vs the other state?

The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $475/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $325/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $2,600/yr.

Do Connecticut and Illinois have the same federal taxes?

Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.

Is it cheaper to live in Connecticut or Illinois?

Illinois is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Connecticut is 13% higher than in Illinois. Connecticut's Regional Price Parity is 109.4 and Illinois's is 97.1 (US average = 100).

Is Illinois cheaper than Connecticut?

Yes. Illinois has a lower cost of living than Connecticut (index 97.1 vs 109.4). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.

Is Connecticut more expensive than Illinois?

Yes. Connecticut has a higher cost of living (index 109.4) compared to Illinois (index 97.1). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.

After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?

At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $74,430 in Connecticut has the purchasing power of $83,858 in Illinois terms. Conversely, $74,230 in Illinois equals $65,884 in Connecticut terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Connecticut comes out ahead.

Connecticut vs Illinois cost of living — what's the difference?

The overall cost of living is 12% different between Connecticut and Illinois. Living costs are 9% above the national average Living costs are about 3% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Connecticut gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.

Related tools

Connecticut Paycheck Estimator · Illinois Paycheck Estimator · All states