Illinois vs Virginia
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
5.3%
+1.0 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
5.75%
+0.8 pp in Virginia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$1,357
+8% in Virginia
Median Home Value
$315,200
$366,300
+16% in Virginia
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$90,685
+21% in Virginia
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
59.9°F
+7.2°F in Virginia
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Illinois/Virginia — 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.