Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,258 in Illinois versus $1,181 in Nevada. Overall, Nevada runs roughly 6% cheaper on rent than Illinois, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $75,134 in Illinois and $70,723 in Nevada — about 6% higher in Illinois. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
6.85%
+0.6 pp in Nevada
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
None
+5.0 pp in Illinois
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$1,181
+6% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$315,200
$395,300
+25% in Nevada
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$70,723
+6% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
68.4°F
+15.7°F in Nevada
Illinois vs Nevada — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Nevada?
- Nevada is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,181 runs about 6% 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 Nevada?
- 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 $47,000 in Nevada.
- Which has lower taxes, Illinois or Nevada?
- Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Illinois/Nevada — 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.