Illinois vs Wisconsin Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
You take home $124/yr more in Wisconsin
$10/mo · $5/paycheck more
$57,880/yr in Illinois vs $58,004/yr in Wisconsin.
Illinois
Take-home per paycheck
$2,226.15
$57,880/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Wisconsin
Take-home per paycheck
$2,230.93
$58,004/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Cost of living comparison
Cost of living in Illinois is 4% lower than in Wisconsin.
At a $75,000 salary, take-home pay of $57,880 in Illinois has the purchasing power of $55,823 in Wisconsin terms.
After adjusting for cost of living, Wisconsin comes out ahead by $2,181/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.
Wisconsin: Wisconsin uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 3.50% to 7.65%.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Illinois take-home | Wisconsin take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $39,880 | $40,092 | -$212 |
| $75,000 | $57,880 | $58,004 | -$124 |
| $100,000 | $74,230 | $74,267 | -$37 |
| $150,000 | $106,366 | $106,228 | + $138 |
| $200,000 | $139,027 | $138,714 | + $313 |
| $300,000 | $200,327 | $199,663 | + $663 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Illinois. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Illinois or Wisconsin?
At a $100,000 salary, Wisconsin results in $37 more annual take-home pay. Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. Wisconsin uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 3.50% to 7.65%.
How much more do you take home in Wisconsin vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $212/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $138/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $663/yr.
Do Illinois and Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Illinois is 2% higher than in Wisconsin. Illinois's Regional Price Parity is 97.1 and Wisconsin's is 94.9 (US average = 100).
Is Wisconsin cheaper than Illinois?
Yes. Wisconsin has a lower cost of living than Illinois (index 94.9 vs 97.1). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Illinois more expensive than Wisconsin?
Yes. Illinois has a higher cost of living (index 97.1) compared to Wisconsin (index 94.9). 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 $75,951 in Wisconsin terms. Conversely, $74,267 in Wisconsin equals $72,584 in Illinois terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Illinois comes out ahead.
Illinois vs Wisconsin cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 2% different between Illinois and Wisconsin. Living costs are about 3% below the national average Living costs are 5% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Illinois gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Related tools
- Illinois vs Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
Illinois Paycheck Estimator · Wisconsin Paycheck Estimator · All states