Illinois vs Iowa Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $1,474 more a year in Iowa than in Illinois ($123 a month).
Illinois
4.95% flat state income tax
$57,880
take-home on $75,000 · $4,823/month
45th of 51 states for take-home pay
Illinois paycheck calculator ›Iowa
3.8% flat state income tax
$59,354
take-home on $75,000 · $4,946/month
15th of 51 states for take-home pay
Iowa paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in Illinois and Iowa by salary
| Salary | Illinois | Iowa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,340 | $33,412 | $1,072 more in Iowa |
| $50,000 | $39,880 | $41,067 | $1,187 more in Iowa |
| $60,000 | $47,420 | $48,722 | $1,302 more in Iowa |
| $75,000 | $57,880 | $59,354 | $1,474 more in Iowa |
| $100,000 | $74,230 | $75,992 | $1,762 more in Iowa |
| $125,000 | $90,516 | $92,566 | $2,050 more in Iowa |
| $150,000 | $106,366 | $108,703 | $2,337 more in Iowa |
| $200,000 | $139,027 | $141,939 | $2,912 more in Iowa |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Illinois you would need about $72,800 in Iowa; to match $75,000 in Iowa you would need about $77,250 in Illinois.
How Illinois and Iowa tax wages
| 2026 | Illinois | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | a flat 4.95% income tax | a flat 3.8% income tax |
| Top rate | 4.95% | 3.8% |
| Standard deduction | None (exemptions or credits only) | $16,100 single |
| State tax on $75k | $3,713 (5.0%) | $2,238 (3.0%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | Yes (3 modeled) |
| Reciprocity | Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin | Illinois |
Illinois vs Iowa: FAQ
Does Illinois or Iowa have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $1,474 more a year in Iowa than in Illinois ($123 a month). Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax for 2026. Iowa has a flat 3.8% income tax for 2026.
What salary in Iowa equals $75,000 in Illinois?
To take home the same $57,880 that $75,000 leaves in Illinois, you would need about $72,800 in Iowa, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Iowa than in Illinois?
At $150,000 the gap is $2,337 a year: $106,366 in Illinois versus $108,703 in Iowa. With flat or no state tax, the gap grows roughly in line with salary.
Do Illinois and Iowa have a reciprocity agreement?
Yes. If you live in one of these states and work in the other, you can usually file a nonresident exemption form with your employer so only your home state withholds income tax.
Do local taxes change the Illinois vs Iowa comparison?
Iowa has local wage taxes in places like Des Moines (School district surtax), Cedar Rapids (School district surtax), Davenport (School district surtax). Those are on top of the statewide figures above, so check the city calculators if you live or work in one of them.