Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,258 in Illinois versus $1,275 in Vermont. Overall, Illinois runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than Vermont, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $90,109 in Illinois and $68,854 in Vermont — about 24% higher in Illinois. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
6%
+0.3 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
8.75%
+3.8 pp in Vermont
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$1,275
+1% in Vermont
Median Home Value
$315,200
$400,200
+27% in Vermont
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$90,109
$68,854
+24% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
49.9°F
46.0°F
+3.9°F in Illinois
Illinois vs Vermont — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Vermont?
- Illinois is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,258 runs about 1% below Vermont's $1,275, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Illinois than in Vermont?
- 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 $51,000 in Vermont.
- Which has lower taxes, Illinois or Vermont?
- Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Illinois/Vermont — 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.