Quick answer
Washington has lower average 1BR rent ($1,600/mo vs $1,850/mo). State income tax: Washington (None) vs Illinois (4.95%) — on a $120K salary that's $5,940/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Illinois vs Washington
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Illinois vs Washington at a Glance
| Metric | Illinois | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,850 | $1,600 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $340K ✓ | $570K |
| Cheapest city | Chicago ($1,850) | Spokane ($1,100) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Chicago ($1,850) | Seattle ($2,100) |
| State income tax | 4.95% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 78/100 ✓ | 62/100 |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 2 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Washington (None).
Salary $80K
$3,960
/year saved in Washington
Salary $120K
$5,940
/year saved in Washington
Salary $200K
$9,900
/year saved in Washington
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Illinois (IL)
Tax reality
Illinois has a flat 4.95% state income tax (moderate) — but property taxes are among the highest in the US, averaging 2.1% effective. On a $350K Chicago home that's $7,400/year. Combined tax burden is higher than it looks. The state's pension underfunding creates long-term fiscal risk for homeowners.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Property tax is brutal — Cook County averages 2.3% effective. On a $500K home, that's $11,500/year. Homeowners feel this every month.
- ✕Chicago winters are genuinely cold. Lake-effect snow, mid-December through March subzero streaks, and winds off Lake Michigan can make it feel -20°F. This is the biggest filter for people considering moving here.
- ✕The state fiscal situation (pension debt, budget pressures) drives ongoing policy uncertainty — property tax, sales tax, and various fees continue to drift upward.
Washington (WA)
Tax reality
Washington has no state income tax on W-2 wages. The state collects revenue through a 6.5% state sales tax (local rates push it to 9-10% in most metros) and a Business & Occupation (B&O) gross receipts tax that affects self-employed workers. A 7% capital gains tax (passed 2021) applies only to gains over $250K on investments — so most people never hit it.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Cloud cover from October through April is serious — many newcomers experience genuine seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you've never lived somewhere with low winter sunlight, test with a 2-week November visit before committing.
- ✕Home prices in Seattle proper have stayed high — $750K-$850K median for a modest SFH in decent neighborhoods. Bellevue and eastside tech suburbs run higher.
- ✕Sales tax 9-10% stings. Every purchase is noticeably more expensive than in no-sales-tax states like Oregon or Montana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illinois or Washington cheaper to live in?
Washington has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,600/mo vs $1,850/mo in Illinois, a $250/mo difference. Home prices: Illinois median is $340K vs $570K.
Illinois vs Washington: which has lower state income tax?
Washington has lower state income tax (None) vs 4.95% in Illinois. On an $80K salary that's $3,960/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $9,900/year.
Should I move from Illinois to Washington?
Illinois has a flat 4.95% state income tax (moderate) — but property taxes are among the highest in the US, averaging 2.1% effective. On a $350K Chicago home that's $7,400/year. Combined tax burden is higher than it looks. The state's pension underfunding creates long-term fiscal risk for homeowners.
What are the best cities in Illinois vs Washington?
Illinois's largest metros include Chicago. Washington's largest metros include Seattle, Spokane. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Illinois suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.