1Alabama
Lowest22.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,485
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,893
- Net income (annual)
- $58,108
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Alabama vs Illinois Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $83 less state income tax a year in Alabama than in Illinois, which is about $7 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $45 in favor of Alabama.
Alabama: up to 5%Illinois: 4.95% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Alabama and Illinois for your income
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
State comparison
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
2Illinois
22.6%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,568
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,975
- Net income (annual)
- $58,025
Advanced analysis (optional)
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Alabama
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,408
Monthly take-home$4,842
Illinois
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,415
Monthly take-home$4,835
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Alabama vs Illinois: how the two systems differ
| Alabama | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 3 brackets | Flat 4.95% |
| Top rate | 5% | 4.95% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 4.95% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,000 standard deduction, $1,500 personal exemption | $2,925 personal exemption |
State income tax and take-home pay at every salary
The same salary can leave you with different take-home pay depending on the state. This table applies each state’s 2026 rules to a single filer with no pre-tax contributions.
| Income | AL state tax | IL state tax | Difference | AL take-home | IL take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,235 | $1,340 | $105 less in Alabama | $25,050 | $24,945 |
| $40,000 | $1,735 | $1,835 | $100 less in Alabama | $32,585 | $32,485 |
| $50,000 | $2,235 | $2,330 | $95 less in Alabama | $40,120 | $40,025 |
| $60,000 | $2,735 | $2,825 | $90 less in Alabama | $47,655 | $47,565 |
| $75,000 | $3,485 | $3,568 | $83 less in Alabama | $58,108 | $58,025 |
| $100,000 | $4,735 | $4,805 | $70 less in Alabama | $74,445 | $74,375 |
| $150,000 | $7,235 | $7,280 | $45 less in Alabama | $106,556 | $106,511 |
| $250,000 | $12,235 | $12,230 | $5 less in Illinois | $170,947 | $170,952 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | AL state tax | IL state tax | Difference | AL take-home | IL take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,095 | $3,423 | $328 less in Alabama | $61,528 | $61,200 |
| $100,000 | $4,345 | $4,660 | $315 less in Alabama | $80,365 | $80,050 |
| $150,000 | $6,845 | $7,135 | $290 less in Alabama | $116,340 | $116,050 |
| $250,000 | $11,845 | $12,085 | $240 less in Alabama | $185,623 | $185,383 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
Does the lower-tax state change as income rises?
For a single filer, Alabama is the lower-tax state up to roughly $242,500 of income, and Illinois becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Alabama (single filers)
| 2% | Up to $500 |
| 4% | $501 to $3,000 |
| 5% | Over $3,000 |
Illinois (single filers)
| 4.95% | Over $0 |
- Alabama: Many Alabama cities and counties also levy occupational taxes that are not included here.
Full details for each state: Alabama income tax calculator and Illinois income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Alabama vs Illinois FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Alabama or Illinois?+
Alabama is lower at $75,000: $3,485 of state income tax versus $3,568 in Illinois. At $150,000 it is $7,235 in Alabama and $7,280 in Illinois. For a single filer, Alabama is the lower-tax state up to roughly $242,500 of income, and Illinois becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Alabama versus Illinois?+
A single filer keeping $74,445 a year in Alabama would keep $74,375 in Illinois after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $70 a year, or $6 a month.
How do the Alabama and Illinois income tax systems differ?+
Alabama uses progressive rates up to 5%; Illinois uses a flat 4.95% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Alabama vs Illinois comparison?+
No. It covers federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax only. City, county, sales and property taxes are not included, and they can change the real cost of living in each state.
Should I move from Alabama to Illinois to save on taxes?+
State income tax is one cost among many. Property and sales taxes, housing, insurance and wages also differ, and you may owe tax to both states in the year you move. Use this comparison as one input and confirm details with a tax professional.
Sources
- Tax Foundation: 2026 state individual income tax rates and brackets
- IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
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Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.