Illinois vs New Jersey Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
You take home $1,061/yr more in New Jersey
$88/mo · $41/paycheck more
$57,880/yr in Illinois vs $58,941/yr in New Jersey.
Illinois
Take-home per paycheck
$2,226.15
$57,880/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
New Jersey
Take-home per paycheck
$2,266.97
$58,941/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Cost of living comparison
Cost of living in Illinois is 18% lower than in New Jersey.
At a $75,000 salary, take-home pay of $57,880 in Illinois has the purchasing power of $47,690 in New Jersey terms.
After adjusting for cost of living, New Jersey comes out ahead by $11,251/yr.
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.
New Jersey: New Jersey uses a progressive income tax with 7 brackets ranging from 1.40% to 10.75%.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Illinois take-home | New Jersey take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $39,880 | $41,085 | -$1,205 |
| $75,000 | $57,880 | $58,941 | -$1,061 |
| $100,000 | $74,230 | $74,936 | -$706 |
| $150,000 | $106,366 | $106,362 | + $4 |
| $200,000 | $139,027 | $138,313 | + $714 |
| $300,000 | $200,327 | $198,193 | + $2,134 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Illinois. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Illinois or New Jersey?
At a $100,000 salary, New Jersey results in $706 more annual take-home pay. Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. New Jersey uses a progressive income tax with 7 brackets ranging from 1.40% to 10.75%.
How much more do you take home in New Jersey vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $1,205/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $4/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $2,134/yr.
Do Illinois and New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
Illinois is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Illinois is 14% lower than in New Jersey. Illinois's Regional Price Parity is 97.1 and New Jersey's is 113.1 (US average = 100).
Is Illinois cheaper than New Jersey?
Yes. Illinois has a lower cost of living than New Jersey (index 97.1 vs 113.1). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is New Jersey more expensive than Illinois?
Yes. New Jersey has a higher cost of living (index 113.1) 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 $74,230 in Illinois has the purchasing power of $63,729 in New Jersey terms. Conversely, $74,936 in New Jersey equals $87,284 in Illinois terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, New Jersey comes out ahead.
Illinois vs New Jersey cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 16% different between Illinois and New Jersey. Living costs are about 3% below the national average Living costs are 13% above the national average After taxes and cost of living, New Jersey gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Related tools
- Illinois vs New Jersey Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- How much house can you afford in Illinois?
- How much house can you afford in New Jersey?
Illinois Paycheck Estimator · New Jersey Paycheck Estimator · All states