Illinois vs Wisconsin
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
5%
+1.3 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
7.65%
+2.7 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$849
+33% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$315,200
$172,000
+45% in Illinois
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$51,888
+31% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
47.9°F
+4.8°F in Illinois
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Illinois/Wisconsin — 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.