Illinois vs Tennessee
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
7%
+0.8 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
None
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$1,142
+9% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$315,200
$270,100
+14% in Illinois
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$63,204
+16% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
61.3°F
+8.5°F in Tennessee
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/2 cities we track in Illinois/Tennessee — 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.