1Colorado
Lowest21.3%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,592
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,999
- Net income (annual)
- $59,001
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Colorado vs Illinois Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $976 less state income tax a year in Colorado than in Illinois, which is about $81 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,389 in favor of Colorado.
Colorado: 4.4% flatIllinois: 4.95% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Colorado 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
Colorado
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,333
Monthly take-home$4,917
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.
Colorado vs Illinois: how the two systems differ
| Colorado | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 4.4% | Flat 4.95% |
| Top rate | 4.4% | 4.95% |
| Lowest rate | 4.4% | 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.
| Income | CO state tax | IL state tax | Difference | CO take-home | IL take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $612 | $1,340 | $729 less in Colorado | $25,673 | $24,945 |
| $40,000 | $1,052 | $1,835 | $784 less in Colorado | $33,268 | $32,485 |
| $50,000 | $1,492 | $2,330 | $839 less in Colorado | $40,863 | $40,025 |
| $60,000 | $1,932 | $2,825 | $894 less in Colorado | $48,458 | $47,565 |
| $75,000 | $2,592 | $3,568 | $976 less in Colorado | $59,001 | $58,025 |
| $100,000 | $3,692 | $4,805 | $1,114 less in Colorado | $75,488 | $74,375 |
| $150,000 | $5,892 | $7,280 | $1,389 less in Colorado | $107,899 | $106,511 |
| $250,000 | $10,292 | $12,230 | $1,939 less in Colorado | $172,890 | $170,952 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | CO state tax | IL state tax | Difference | CO take-home | IL take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,883 | $3,423 | $1,540 less in Colorado | $62,739 | $61,200 |
| $100,000 | $2,983 | $4,660 | $1,677 less in Colorado | $81,727 | $80,050 |
| $150,000 | $5,183 | $7,135 | $1,952 less in Colorado | $118,002 | $116,050 |
| $250,000 | $9,583 | $12,085 | $2,502 less in Colorado | $187,885 | $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, Colorado 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
Colorado (single filers)
| 4.4% | Over $0 |
Illinois (single filers)
| 4.95% | Over $0 |
Full details for each state: Colorado income tax calculator and Illinois income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Colorado vs Illinois FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Colorado or Illinois?+
Colorado is lower at $75,000: $2,592 of state income tax versus $3,568 in Illinois. At $150,000 it is $5,892 in Colorado and $7,280 in Illinois. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Colorado 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 Colorado versus Illinois?+
A single filer keeping $75,488 a year in Colorado would keep $74,375 in Illinois after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,114 a year, or $93 a month.
How do the Colorado and Illinois income tax systems differ?+
Colorado uses a flat 4.4% 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 Colorado 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 Colorado 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.