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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Arizona vs Illinois Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,095 less state income tax a year in Arizona than in Illinois, which is about $175 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $3,933 in favor of Arizona.

Arizona: 2.5% flatIllinois: 4.95% flatUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Arizona 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.

1Arizona

Lowest

19.8%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$1,473
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$14,880
Net income (annual)
$60,120

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

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Arizona

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,240
Monthly take-home$5,010

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.

Arizona vs Illinois: how the two systems differ

ArizonaIllinois
Wage income taxFlat 2.5%Flat 4.95%
Top rate2.5%4.95%
Lowest rate2.5%4.95%
Deductions and credits (single)$16,100 standard deduction$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.

IncomeAZ state taxIL state taxDifferenceAZ take-homeIL take-home
$30,000$348$1,340$993 less in Arizona$25,938$24,945
$40,000$598$1,835$1,238 less in Arizona$33,723$32,485
$50,000$848$2,330$1,483 less in Arizona$41,508$40,025
$60,000$1,098$2,825$1,728 less in Arizona$49,293$47,565
$75,000$1,473$3,568$2,095 less in Arizona$60,120$58,025
$100,000$2,098$4,805$2,708 less in Arizona$77,083$74,375
$150,000$3,348$7,280$3,933 less in Arizona$110,444$106,511
$250,000$5,848$12,230$6,383 less in Arizona$177,335$170,952

Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.

Married filing jointly

IncomeAZ state taxIL state taxDifferenceAZ take-homeIL take-home
$75,000$1,070$3,423$2,353 less in Arizona$63,553$61,200
$100,000$1,695$4,660$2,965 less in Arizona$83,015$80,050
$150,000$2,945$7,135$4,190 less in Arizona$120,240$116,050
$250,000$5,445$12,085$6,640 less in Arizona$192,023$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?

Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Arizona charges the same or less state income tax than Illinois for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

Rates side by side

Arizona (single filers)

2.5%Over $0

Illinois (single filers)

4.95%Over $0

Full details for each state: Arizona income tax calculator and Illinois income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

Arizona vs Illinois FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Arizona or Illinois?+

Arizona is lower at $75,000: $1,473 of state income tax versus $3,568 in Illinois. At $150,000 it is $3,348 in Arizona and $7,280 in Illinois. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Arizona charges the same or less state income tax than Illinois for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Arizona versus Illinois?+

A single filer keeping $77,083 a year in Arizona would keep $74,375 in Illinois after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $2,708 a year, or $226 a month.

How do the Arizona and Illinois income tax systems differ?+

Arizona uses a flat 2.5% rate; 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 Arizona 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 Arizona 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

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.