Illinois vs North Carolina
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
4.75%
+1.5 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
3.99%
+1.0 pp in Illinois
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$1,349
+7% in North Carolina
Median Home Value
$315,200
$364,650
+16% in North Carolina
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$80,431
+7% in North Carolina
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
60.3°F
+7.5°F in North Carolina
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/2 cities we track in Illinois/North Carolina — 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.