Colorado vs Illinois
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
2.9%
6.25%
+3.4 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.40%
4.95%
+0.5 pp in Illinois
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,305
$1,258
+4% in Colorado
Median Home Value
$586,700
$315,200
+46% in Colorado
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$85,364
$75,134
+12% in Colorado
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.2°F
52.7°F
+2.5°F in Illinois
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Colorado/Illinois — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.