Illinois vs Louisiana
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
5%
+1.3 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
3.00%
+2.0 pp in Illinois
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$1,019
+19% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$315,200
$296,400
+6% in Illinois
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$55,339
+26% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
70.6°F
+17.9°F in Louisiana
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Illinois/Louisiana — 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.