Illinois vs Tennessee Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $3,713 more a year in Tennessee than in Illinois ($309 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 ›Tennessee
No state income tax on wages
$61,592
take-home on $75,000 · $5,133/month
1st of 51 states for take-home pay
Tennessee paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in Illinois and Tennessee by salary
| Salary | Illinois | Tennessee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,340 | $34,320 | $1,980 more in Tennessee |
| $50,000 | $39,880 | $42,355 | $2,475 more in Tennessee |
| $60,000 | $47,420 | $50,390 | $2,970 more in Tennessee |
| $75,000 | $57,880 | $61,592 | $3,713 more in Tennessee |
| $100,000 | $74,230 | $79,180 | $4,950 more in Tennessee |
| $125,000 | $90,516 | $96,703 | $6,187 more in Tennessee |
| $150,000 | $106,366 | $113,791 | $7,425 more in Tennessee |
| $200,000 | $139,027 | $148,927 | $9,900 more in Tennessee |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Illinois you would need about $69,700 in Tennessee; to match $75,000 in Tennessee you would need about $80,700 in Illinois.
How Illinois and Tennessee tax wages
| 2026 | Illinois | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | a flat 4.95% income tax | no state income tax |
| Top rate | 4.95% | 0% |
| Standard deduction | None (exemptions or credits only) | Not applicable |
| State tax on $75k | $3,713 (5.0%) | $0 (0.0%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin | None |
Illinois vs Tennessee: FAQ
Does Illinois or Tennessee have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $3,713 more a year in Tennessee than in Illinois ($309 a month). Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax for 2026. Tennessee has no state income tax.
What salary in Tennessee equals $75,000 in Illinois?
To take home the same $57,880 that $75,000 leaves in Illinois, you would need about $69,700 in Tennessee, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Tennessee than in Illinois?
At $150,000 the gap is $7,425 a year: $106,366 in Illinois versus $113,791 in Tennessee. With flat or no state tax, the gap grows roughly in line with salary.