Illinois vs Wisconsin Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $1,081 more a year in Wisconsin than in Illinois ($90 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 ›Wisconsin
3.5% - 7.65% state income tax
$58,960
take-home on $75,000 · $4,913/month
22nd of 51 states for take-home pay
Wisconsin paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in Illinois and Wisconsin by salary
| Salary | Illinois | Wisconsin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,340 | $33,310 | $970 more in Wisconsin |
| $50,000 | $39,880 | $40,905 | $1,025 more in Wisconsin |
| $60,000 | $47,420 | $48,500 | $1,080 more in Wisconsin |
| $75,000 | $57,880 | $58,960 | $1,081 more in Wisconsin |
| $100,000 | $74,230 | $75,223 | $993 more in Wisconsin |
| $125,000 | $90,516 | $91,422 | $906 more in Wisconsin |
| $150,000 | $106,366 | $107,184 | $818 more in Wisconsin |
| $200,000 | $139,027 | $139,670 | $643 more in Wisconsin |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Illinois you would need about $73,350 in Wisconsin; to match $75,000 in Wisconsin you would need about $76,650 in Illinois.
How Illinois and Wisconsin tax wages
| 2026 | Illinois | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | a flat 4.95% income tax | 4 brackets from 3.5% to 7.65% |
| Top rate | 4.95% | 7.65% |
| Standard deduction | None (exemptions or credits only) | $13,960 single |
| State tax on $75k | $3,713 (5.0%) | $2,632 (3.5%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin | Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan |
Illinois vs Wisconsin: FAQ
Does Illinois or Wisconsin have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $1,081 more a year in Wisconsin than in Illinois ($90 a month). Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax for 2026. Wisconsin has 4 brackets from 3.5% to 7.65% for 2026. For single filers the top 7.65% rate starts at $332,720 of taxable income.
What salary in Wisconsin equals $75,000 in Illinois?
To take home the same $57,880 that $75,000 leaves in Illinois, you would need about $73,350 in Wisconsin, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Wisconsin than in Illinois?
At $150,000 the gap is $818 a year: $106,366 in Illinois versus $107,184 in Wisconsin. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
Do Illinois and Wisconsin 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.
