Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,258 in Illinois versus $1,019 in Louisiana. Overall, Louisiana runs roughly 19% cheaper on rent than Illinois, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $75,134 in Illinois and $55,339 in Louisiana — about 26% higher in Illinois. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.
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
Illinois vs Louisiana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Louisiana?
- Louisiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,019 runs about 19% below Illinois's $1,258, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Illinois than in Louisiana?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Illinois versus $41,000 in Louisiana.
- Which has lower taxes, Illinois or Louisiana?
- Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.
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.