Side-by-side tax comparison between Illinois (4.95% top rate) and Wisconsin (7.65% top rate).
| Salary | Illinois | Wisconsin | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,441 | $39,429 | −$1,013 | Illinois |
| $75K | $58,518 | $56,999 | −$1,519 | Illinois |
| $100K | $75,178 | $73,153 | −$2,025 | Illinois |
| $150K | $107,877 | $104,840 | −$3,038 | Illinois |
| $200K | $141,678 | $137,628 | −$4,050 | Illinois |
Illinois offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Illinois's 4.95% top rate is more favorable than Wisconsin's 7.65%. At $100K, the difference is $2,025/year — that’s $169/month.
However, cost of living matters. Illinois has a cost index of 93 while Wisconsin is at 93. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.