Illinois vs Washington Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $3,568 more a year in Washington than in Illinois ($297 a month).
Illinois
4.95% flat state income tax
$58,024
take-home on $75,000 · $4,835/month
46th of 51 states for take-home pay
Illinois paycheck calculator ›Washington
No state income tax on wages
$61,592
take-home on $75,000 · $5,133/month
1st of 51 states for take-home pay
Washington paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in Illinois and Washington by salary
| Salary | Illinois | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,485 | $34,320 | $1,835 more in Washington |
| $50,000 | $40,025 | $42,355 | $2,330 more in Washington |
| $60,000 | $47,565 | $50,390 | $2,825 more in Washington |
| $75,000 | $58,024 | $61,592 | $3,568 more in Washington |
| $100,000 | $74,375 | $79,180 | $4,805 more in Washington |
| $125,000 | $90,661 | $96,703 | $6,043 more in Washington |
| $150,000 | $106,511 | $113,791 | $7,280 more in Washington |
| $200,000 | $139,172 | $148,927 | $9,755 more in Washington |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Illinois you would need about $69,950 in Washington; to match $75,000 in Washington you would need about $80,450 in Illinois.
How Illinois and Washington tax wages
| 2026 | Illinois | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | a flat 4.95% income tax | no income tax on wages (Washington taxes only certain capital gains) |
| Top rate | 4.95% | 0% |
| Standard deduction | None (exemptions or credits only) | Not applicable |
| State tax on $75k | $3,568 (4.8%) | $0 (0.0%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin | None |
Moving between Illinois and Washington
Moving from Illinois to Washington
Moving to Washington ends state income tax on wages, which saves a $75,000 earner $5,055 a year compared with Oregon and $2,867 compared with Idaho. Expect new payroll lines for paid family and medical leave, WA Cares, and workers' comp. If you hold a private long-term care policy or plan to leave the state again, read the WA Cares rules early. File a part-year return in your former state for wages earned before the move.
Moving from Washington to Illinois
Moving to Illinois from any neighbor raises state tax for a middle-income worker: $1,385 a year compared with Indiana and $624 compared with Wisconsin at $75,000. There is no city income tax, though Chicago's sales and property taxes are high. File an IL-W-4 with your employer and a part-year Illinois return for the year you arrive.
Illinois paychecks in brief
Illinois taxes wages at a flat 4.95% with no standard deduction, only a $2,925 personal exemption for each filer. That makes the effective rate high even for modest earners. A single filer earning $75,000 owes $3,568 to Illinois and keeps $58,024 a year, or $2,232 every two weeks. No Illinois city, including Chicago, taxes wages, and residents of Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin who work in Illinois pay only their home state. Read the Illinois guide.
Washington paychecks in brief
Washington does not tax wages; its only income-type tax in 2026 falls on certain long-term capital gains. A single filer earning $75,000 takes home $61,592 in our estimate, or $2,369 every two weeks. Your real check will be a little smaller, because Washington withholds two state payroll premiums this page leaves out: Paid Family and Medical Leave and the WA Cares long-term care fund. Many workers also see a small workers' compensation deduction. Read the Washington guide.
Illinois vs Washington: FAQ
Does Illinois or Washington have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $3,568 more a year in Washington than in Illinois ($297 a month). Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax for 2026. Washington has no income tax on wages (Washington taxes only certain capital gains).
What salary in Washington equals $75,000 in Illinois?
To take home the same $58,024 that $75,000 leaves in Illinois, you would need about $69,950 in Washington, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Washington than in Illinois?
At $150,000 the gap is $7,280 a year: $106,511 in Illinois versus $113,791 in Washington. With flat or no state tax, the gap grows roughly in line with salary.