Illinois vs West Virginia Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
You take home $761/yr more in West Virginia
$63/mo · $29/paycheck more
$57,880/yr in Illinois vs $58,641/yr in West Virginia.
Illinois
Take-home per paycheck
$2,226.15
$57,880/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
West Virginia
Take-home per paycheck
$2,255.42
$58,641/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Cost of living comparison
Cost of living in Illinois is 8% higher than in West Virginia.
At a $75,000 salary, take-home pay of $57,880 in Illinois has the purchasing power of $62,484 in West Virginia terms.
After adjusting for cost of living, Illinois comes out ahead by $3,843/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.
West Virginia: West Virginia uses a progressive income tax with 5 brackets ranging from 2.36% to 5.12%.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Illinois take-home | West Virginia take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $39,880 | $40,644 | -$763 |
| $75,000 | $57,880 | $58,641 | -$761 |
| $100,000 | $74,230 | $74,949 | -$718 |
| $150,000 | $106,366 | $107,000 | -$633 |
| $200,000 | $139,027 | $139,576 | -$548 |
| $300,000 | $200,327 | $200,705 | -$378 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Illinois. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Illinois or West Virginia?
At a $100,000 salary, West Virginia results in $719 more annual take-home pay. Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. West Virginia uses a progressive income tax with 5 brackets ranging from 2.36% to 5.12%.
How much more do you take home in West Virginia vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $764/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $634/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $379/yr.
Do Illinois and West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Illinois is 12% higher than in West Virginia. Illinois's Regional Price Parity is 97.1 and West Virginia's is 86.7 (US average = 100).
Is West Virginia cheaper than Illinois?
Yes. West Virginia has a lower cost of living than Illinois (index 86.7 vs 97.1). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Illinois more expensive than West Virginia?
Yes. Illinois has a higher cost of living (index 97.1) compared to West Virginia (index 86.7). 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 $83,134 in West Virginia terms. Conversely, $74,949 in West Virginia equals $66,921 in Illinois terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Illinois comes out ahead.
Illinois vs West Virginia cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 10% different between Illinois and West Virginia. Living costs are about 3% below the national average Living costs are 13% below the national average — one of the lowest in the US After taxes and cost of living, Illinois gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Related tools
- Illinois vs West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
Illinois Paycheck Estimator · West Virginia Paycheck Estimator · All states