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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Illinois vs Maryland Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $369 less state income tax a year in Maryland than in Illinois, which is about $31 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $364 in favor of Maryland.

Illinois: 4.95% flatMaryland: up to 6.5%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Illinois and Maryland 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.

1Maryland

Lowest

22.1%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$3,199
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,606
Net income (annual)
$58,394

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

Maryland

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,384
Monthly take-home$4,866

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 Maryland: how the two systems differ

IllinoisMaryland
Wage income taxFlat 4.95%Progressive, 10 brackets
Top rate4.95%6.5%
Lowest rate4.95%2%
Deductions and credits (single)$2,925 personal exemption$3,350 standard deduction, $3,200 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.

IncomeIL state taxMD state taxDifferenceIL take-homeMD take-home
$30,000$1,340$1,061$279 less in Maryland$24,945$25,224
$40,000$1,835$1,536$299 less in Maryland$32,485$32,784
$50,000$2,330$2,011$319 less in Maryland$40,025$40,344
$60,000$2,825$2,486$339 less in Maryland$47,565$47,904
$75,000$3,568$3,199$369 less in Maryland$58,025$58,394
$100,000$4,805$4,386$419 less in Maryland$74,375$74,794
$150,000$7,280$6,916$364 less in Maryland$106,511$106,875
$250,000$12,230$12,400$170 less in Illinois$170,952$170,782

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeIL state taxMD state taxDifferenceIL take-homeMD take-home
$75,000$3,423$2,888$535 less in Maryland$61,200$61,735
$100,000$4,660$4,075$585 less in Maryland$80,050$80,635
$150,000$7,135$6,450$685 less in Maryland$116,050$116,735
$250,000$12,085$11,602$483 less in Maryland$185,383$185,866

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, Maryland is the lower-tax state up to roughly $220,000 of income, and Illinois becomes the lower-tax state above that.

Rates side by side

Illinois (single filers)

4.95%Over $0

Maryland (single filers)

2%Up to $1,000
3%$1,001 to $2,000
4%$2,001 to $3,000
4.75%$3,001 to $100,000
5%$100,001 to $125,000
5.25%$125,001 to $150,000
5.5%$150,001 to $250,000
5.75%$250,001 to $500,000
6.25%$500,001 to $1,000,000
6.5%Over $1,000,000

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

Illinois vs Maryland FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Illinois or Maryland?+

Maryland is lower at $75,000: $3,199 of state income tax versus $3,568 in Illinois. At $150,000 it is $7,280 in Illinois and $6,916 in Maryland. For a single filer, Maryland is the lower-tax state up to roughly $220,000 of income, and Illinois becomes the lower-tax state above that.

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

A single filer keeping $74,375 a year in Illinois would keep $74,794 in Maryland after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $419 a year, or $35 a month.

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

Illinois uses a flat 4.95% rate; Maryland uses progressive rates up to 6.5%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Illinois vs Maryland 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 Maryland 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.