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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Illinois vs North Dakota Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $3,364 less state income tax a year in North Dakota than in Illinois, which is about $280 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $5,614 in favor of North Dakota.

Illinois: 4.95% flatNorth Dakota: up to 2.5%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Illinois and North Dakota 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.

1North Dakota

Lowest

18.1%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$203
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$13,611
Net income (annual)
$61,389

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

North Dakota

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,134
Monthly take-home$5,116

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 North Dakota: how the two systems differ

IllinoisNorth Dakota
Wage income taxFlat 4.95%Progressive, 2 brackets
Top rate4.95%2.5%
Lowest rate4.95%1.95%
Deductions and credits (single)$2,925 personal exemption$16,100 standard deduction

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 taxND state taxDifferenceIL take-homeND take-home
$30,000$1,340$0$1,340 less in North Dakota$24,945$26,285
$40,000$1,835$0$1,835 less in North Dakota$32,485$34,320
$50,000$2,330$0$2,330 less in North Dakota$40,025$42,355
$60,000$2,825$0$2,825 less in North Dakota$47,565$50,390
$75,000$3,568$203$3,364 less in North Dakota$58,025$61,389
$100,000$4,805$691$4,114 less in North Dakota$74,375$78,489
$150,000$7,280$1,666$5,614 less in North Dakota$106,511$112,125
$250,000$12,230$3,616$8,614 less in North Dakota$170,952$179,566

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeIL state taxND state taxDifferenceIL take-homeND take-home
$75,000$3,423$0$3,423 less in North Dakota$61,200$64,623
$100,000$4,660$0$4,660 less in North Dakota$80,050$84,710
$150,000$7,135$718$6,417 less in North Dakota$116,050$122,467
$250,000$12,085$2,668$9,417 less in North Dakota$185,383$194,800

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, North Dakota 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

North Dakota (single filers)

1.95%$48,476 to $244,825
2.5%Over $244,825

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

Illinois vs North Dakota FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Illinois or North Dakota?+

North Dakota is lower at $75,000: $203 of state income tax versus $3,568 in Illinois. At $150,000 it is $7,280 in Illinois and $1,666 in North Dakota. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, North Dakota 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 North Dakota?+

A single filer keeping $74,375 a year in Illinois would keep $78,489 in North Dakota after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $4,114 a year, or $343 a month.

How do the Illinois and North Dakota income tax systems differ?+

Illinois uses a flat 4.95% rate; North Dakota uses progressive rates up to 2.5%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Illinois vs North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.