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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Illinois vs Nebraska Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,035 less state income tax a year in Nebraska than in Illinois, which is about $86 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,335 in favor of Nebraska.

Illinois: 4.95% flatNebraska: up to 4.55%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Illinois and Nebraska 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.

1Nebraska

Lowest

21.3%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,533
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$15,940
Net income (annual)
$59,060

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

Nebraska

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,328
Monthly take-home$4,922

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 Nebraska: how the two systems differ

IllinoisNebraska
Wage income taxFlat 4.95%Progressive, 3 brackets
Top rate4.95%4.55%
Lowest rate4.95%2.46%
Deductions and credits (single)$2,925 personal exemption$8,850 standard deduction, $176 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.

IncomeIL state taxNE state taxDifferenceIL take-homeNE take-home
$30,000$1,340$523$817 less in Nebraska$24,945$25,762
$40,000$1,835$940$895 less in Nebraska$32,485$33,380
$50,000$2,330$1,395$935 less in Nebraska$40,025$40,960
$60,000$2,825$1,850$975 less in Nebraska$47,565$48,540
$75,000$3,568$2,533$1,035 less in Nebraska$58,025$59,060
$100,000$4,805$3,670$1,135 less in Nebraska$74,375$75,510
$150,000$7,280$5,945$1,335 less in Nebraska$106,511$107,846
$250,000$12,230$10,495$1,735 less in Nebraska$170,952$172,687

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeIL state taxNE state taxDifferenceIL take-homeNE take-home
$75,000$3,423$1,653$1,770 less in Nebraska$61,200$62,969
$100,000$4,660$2,791$1,870 less in Nebraska$80,050$81,919
$150,000$7,135$5,066$2,070 less in Nebraska$116,050$118,119
$250,000$12,085$9,616$2,470 less in Nebraska$185,383$187,852

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, Nebraska 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

Nebraska (single filers)

2.46%Up to $4,130
3.51%$4,131 to $24,760
4.55%Over $24,760

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

Illinois vs Nebraska FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Illinois or Nebraska?+

Nebraska is lower at $75,000: $2,533 of state income tax versus $3,568 in Illinois. At $150,000 it is $7,280 in Illinois and $5,945 in Nebraska. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Nebraska 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 Nebraska?+

A single filer keeping $74,375 a year in Illinois would keep $75,510 in Nebraska after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,135 a year, or $95 a month.

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

Illinois uses a flat 4.95% rate; Nebraska uses progressive rates up to 4.55%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Illinois vs Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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.