Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,258 in Illinois versus $882 in Oklahoma. Overall, Oklahoma runs roughly 30% cheaper on rent than Illinois, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $75,134 in Illinois and $66,702 in Oklahoma — about 11% higher in Illinois. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
4.5%
+1.8 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
4.50%
+0.5 pp in Illinois
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$882
+30% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$315,200
$215,100
+32% in Illinois
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$66,702
+11% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
61.5°F
+8.8°F in Oklahoma
Illinois vs Oklahoma — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Oklahoma?
- Oklahoma is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $882 runs about 30% 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 Oklahoma?
- 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 $35,000 in Oklahoma.
- Which has lower taxes, Illinois or Oklahoma?
- Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Illinois/Oklahoma — 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.