Illinois vs Kentucky Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$1,060 /yr more take-home in Kentucky
$88/mo · $41 a paycheck.
Illinois
Kentucky
$58,025/yr in Illinois vs $59,085/yr in Kentucky.
Illinois
Take-home per paycheck
$2,231.72
$58,025/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Kentucky
Take-home per paycheck
$2,272.50
$59,085/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Illinois vs Kentucky
Sized off $4,835/mo take-home in Illinois and $4,924/mo in Kentucky. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$55,887 is what Illinois take-home is worth at Kentucky prices
Against $59,085 actually paid in Kentucky, leaving Kentucky $3,198/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$133 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Illinois
$1,180/mo in Illinois, $1,047/mo in Kentucky.
The average two-bedroom takes 24% of take-home in Illinois and 21% in Kentucky — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$65,000 more for the median home in Illinois
$260,000 in Illinois, $195,000 in Kentucky.
This salary covers the median home in Kentucky; the Illinois median is 1.1× what it supports. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$332 /mo more left over in Kentucky
Illinois has $1,218/mo spare; Kentucky has $1,550/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $590/mo in Illinois and $524/mo in Kentucky.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Illinois | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.60/gal | $3.16/gal |
| Electricity | $108/mo | $89/mo |
| Infant childcare | $1,342/mo | $730/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 28% of take-home in Illinois and 15% in Kentucky.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
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
Illinois: Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
Kentucky: Kentucky has a flat state income tax of 3.50%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Illinois take-home | Kentucky take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,025 | $40,723 | -$698 |
| $75,000 | $58,025 | $59,085 | -$1,060 |
| $100,000 | $74,375 | $75,798 | -$1,423 |
| $150,000 | $106,511 | $108,659 | -$2,148 |
| $200,000 | $139,172 | $142,045 | -$2,873 |
| $300,000 | $200,472 | $204,794 | -$4,323 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Illinois. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Illinois or Kentucky?
At a $100,000 salary, Kentucky results in $1,423 more annual take-home pay. Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. Kentucky has a flat state income tax of 3.50%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
How much more do you take home in Kentucky vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $698/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $2,148/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $4,323/yr.
Do Illinois and Kentucky 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 Illinois or Kentucky?
Kentucky is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Illinois is 10% higher than in Kentucky. Illinois's Regional Price Parity is 97.1 and Kentucky's is 88.3 (US average = 100).
Is Kentucky cheaper than Illinois?
Yes. Kentucky has a lower cost of living than Illinois (index 88.3 vs 97.1). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Illinois more expensive than Kentucky?
Yes. Illinois has a higher cost of living (index 97.1) compared to Kentucky (index 88.3). 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 $74,375 in Illinois has the purchasing power of $81,787 in Kentucky terms. Conversely, $75,798 in Kentucky equals $68,928 in Illinois terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Illinois comes out ahead.
Illinois vs Kentucky cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 9% different between Illinois and Kentucky. Living costs are about 3% below the national average Living costs are 12% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Illinois gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Illinois and Kentucky?
Illinois requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Kentucky requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.
Related tools
- Illinois vs Kentucky Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Illinois Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- Kentucky Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Illinois?
- How much house can you afford in Kentucky?
- Illinois Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Kentucky Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Illinois Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Kentucky Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
Illinois Paycheck Estimator · Kentucky Paycheck Estimator · All states