Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,258 in Illinois versus $1,150 in New Hampshire. Overall, New Hampshire runs roughly 9% cheaper on rent than Illinois, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $90,109 in Illinois and $77,415 in New Hampshire — about 14% higher in Illinois. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
None
+6.3 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
None
+5.0 pp in Illinois
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$1,150
+9% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$315,200
$336,300
+7% in New Hampshire
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$90,109
$77,415
+14% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
49.9°F
49.2°F
+0.7°F in Illinois
Illinois vs New Hampshire — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or New Hampshire?
- New Hampshire is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,150 runs about 9% 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 New Hampshire?
- 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 $46,000 in New Hampshire.
- Which has lower taxes, Illinois or New Hampshire?
- Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax. New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Illinois/New Hampshire — 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.