1Iowa
Lowest20.8%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,198
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,606
- Net income (annual)
- $59,394
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Illinois vs Iowa Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,370 less state income tax a year in Iowa than in Illinois, which is about $114 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,232 in favor of Iowa.
Illinois: 4.95% flatIowa: 3.8% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Illinois and Iowa 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)
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Iowa
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,300
Monthly take-home$4,950
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.
Illinois vs Iowa: how the two systems differ
| Illinois | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 4.95% | Flat 3.8% |
| Top rate | 4.95% | 3.8% |
| Lowest rate | 4.95% | 3.8% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $2,925 personal exemption | $16,100 standard deduction, $40 personal credit |
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 | IL state tax | IA state tax | Difference | IL take-home | IA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,340 | $488 | $852 less in Iowa | $24,945 | $25,797 |
| $40,000 | $1,835 | $868 | $967 less in Iowa | $32,485 | $33,452 |
| $50,000 | $2,330 | $1,248 | $1,082 less in Iowa | $40,025 | $41,107 |
| $60,000 | $2,825 | $1,628 | $1,197 less in Iowa | $47,565 | $48,762 |
| $75,000 | $3,568 | $2,198 | $1,370 less in Iowa | $58,025 | $59,394 |
| $100,000 | $4,805 | $3,148 | $1,657 less in Iowa | $74,375 | $76,032 |
| $150,000 | $7,280 | $5,048 | $2,232 less in Iowa | $106,511 | $108,743 |
| $250,000 | $12,230 | $8,848 | $3,382 less in Iowa | $170,952 | $174,334 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | IL state tax | IA state tax | Difference | IL take-home | IA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,423 | $1,546 | $1,877 less in Iowa | $61,200 | $63,076 |
| $100,000 | $4,660 | $2,496 | $2,164 less in Iowa | $80,050 | $82,214 |
| $150,000 | $7,135 | $4,396 | $2,739 less in Iowa | $116,050 | $118,789 |
| $250,000 | $12,085 | $8,196 | $3,889 less in Iowa | $185,383 | $189,272 |
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, Iowa 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
Illinois (single filers)
| 4.95% | Over $0 |
Iowa (single filers)
| 3.8% | Over $0 |
Full details for each state: Illinois income tax calculator and Iowa income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Illinois vs Iowa FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Illinois or Iowa?+
Iowa is lower at $75,000: $2,198 of state income tax versus $3,568 in Illinois. At $150,000 it is $7,280 in Illinois and $5,048 in Iowa. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Iowa 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 Illinois versus Iowa?+
A single filer keeping $74,375 a year in Illinois would keep $76,032 in Iowa after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,657 a year, or $138 a month.
How do the Illinois and Iowa income tax systems differ?+
Illinois uses a flat 4.95% rate; Iowa uses a flat 3.8% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Illinois vs Iowa 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 Illinois to Iowa 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.