Illinois vs New York
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
4%
+2.3 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
10.90%
+6.0 pp in New York
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$1,705
+36% in New York
Median Home Value
$315,200
$751,700
+138% in New York
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$79,713
+6% in New York
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
55.0°F
+2.3°F in New York
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Illinois/New York — 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.