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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Illinois vs South Dakota Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $3,568 less state income tax a year in South Dakota than in Illinois, which is about $297 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $7,280 in favor of South Dakota.

Illinois: 4.95% flatSouth Dakota: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Illinois and South 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.

1South Dakota

Lowest

17.9%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$0
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$13,408
Net income (annual)
$61,593

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

South Dakota

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,117
Monthly take-home$5,133

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 South Dakota: how the two systems differ

IllinoisSouth Dakota
Wage income taxFlat 4.95%No tax on wages
Top rate4.95%0%
Lowest rate4.95%0%
Deductions and credits (single)$2,925 personal exemptionNot applicable

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 taxSD state taxDifferenceIL take-homeSD take-home
$30,000$1,340$0$1,340 less in South Dakota$24,945$26,285
$40,000$1,835$0$1,835 less in South Dakota$32,485$34,320
$50,000$2,330$0$2,330 less in South Dakota$40,025$42,355
$60,000$2,825$0$2,825 less in South Dakota$47,565$50,390
$75,000$3,568$0$3,568 less in South Dakota$58,025$61,593
$100,000$4,805$0$4,805 less in South Dakota$74,375$79,180
$150,000$7,280$0$7,280 less in South Dakota$106,511$113,791
$250,000$12,230$0$12,230 less in South Dakota$170,952$183,182

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeIL state taxSD state taxDifferenceIL take-homeSD take-home
$75,000$3,423$0$3,423 less in South Dakota$61,200$64,623
$100,000$4,660$0$4,660 less in South Dakota$80,050$84,710
$150,000$7,135$0$7,135 less in South Dakota$116,050$123,185
$250,000$12,085$0$12,085 less in South Dakota$185,383$197,468

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, South 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

South Dakota (single filers)

South Dakota has no state personal income tax. State revenue comes mainly from sales tax.

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

Illinois vs South Dakota FAQ

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

South Dakota is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $3,568 in Illinois. At $150,000 it is $7,280 in Illinois and $0 in South Dakota. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, South 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 South Dakota?+

A single filer keeping $74,375 a year in Illinois would keep $79,180 in South Dakota after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $4,805 a year, or $400 a month.

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

Illinois uses a flat 4.95% rate; South Dakota has no tax on wages.

Are local taxes included in this Illinois vs South 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 South 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.