Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,258 in Illinois versus $1,357 in Virginia. Overall, Illinois runs roughly 7% cheaper on rent than Virginia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $75,134 in Illinois and $90,685 in Virginia — about 17% higher in Virginia. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
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
Illinois vs Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Virginia?
- Illinois is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,258 runs about 7% below Virginia's $1,357, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Illinois than in Virginia?
- 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 $54,000 in Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, Illinois or Virginia?
- Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
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.