1Arkansas
Lowest21.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,712
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,120
- Net income (annual)
- $58,880
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Arkansas vs Illinois Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $855 less state income tax a year in Arkansas than in Illinois, which is about $71 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,643 in favor of Arkansas.
Arkansas: up to 3.9%Illinois: 4.95% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Arkansas 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
Arkansas
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,343
Monthly take-home$4,907
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.
Arkansas vs Illinois: how the two systems differ
| Arkansas | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 2 brackets | Flat 4.95% |
| Top rate | 3.9% | 4.95% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 4.95% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $2,470 standard deduction, $29 personal credit | $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 | AR state tax | IL state tax | Difference | AR take-home | IL take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $957 | $1,340 | $383 less in Arkansas | $25,328 | $24,945 |
| $40,000 | $1,347 | $1,835 | $488 less in Arkansas | $32,973 | $32,485 |
| $50,000 | $1,737 | $2,330 | $593 less in Arkansas | $40,618 | $40,025 |
| $60,000 | $2,127 | $2,825 | $698 less in Arkansas | $48,263 | $47,565 |
| $75,000 | $2,712 | $3,568 | $855 less in Arkansas | $58,880 | $58,025 |
| $100,000 | $3,687 | $4,805 | $1,118 less in Arkansas | $75,493 | $74,375 |
| $150,000 | $5,637 | $7,280 | $1,643 less in Arkansas | $108,154 | $106,511 |
| $250,000 | $9,537 | $12,230 | $2,693 less in Arkansas | $173,645 | $170,952 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | AR state tax | IL state tax | Difference | AR take-home | IL take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,587 | $3,423 | $836 less in Arkansas | $62,036 | $61,200 |
| $100,000 | $3,562 | $4,660 | $1,098 less in Arkansas | $81,148 | $80,050 |
| $150,000 | $5,512 | $7,135 | $1,623 less in Arkansas | $117,673 | $116,050 |
| $250,000 | $9,412 | $12,085 | $2,673 less in Arkansas | $188,056 | $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, Arkansas 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
Arkansas (single filers)
| 2% | Up to $4,600 |
| 3.9% | Over $4,600 |
Illinois (single filers)
| 4.95% | Over $0 |
Full details for each state: Arkansas income tax calculator and Illinois income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Arkansas vs Illinois FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Arkansas or Illinois?+
Arkansas is lower at $75,000: $2,712 of state income tax versus $3,568 in Illinois. At $150,000 it is $5,637 in Arkansas and $7,280 in Illinois. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Arkansas 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 Arkansas versus Illinois?+
A single filer keeping $75,493 a year in Arkansas would keep $74,375 in Illinois after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,118 a year, or $93 a month.
How do the Arkansas and Illinois income tax systems differ?+
Arkansas uses progressive rates up to 3.9%; 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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.