Illinois vs Idaho: taxes, cost of living, laws

Illinois

High tax burden · COL index 92

Wins 7 categories

Idaho

Moderate tax burden · COL index 96

Wins 8 categories

Property taxes are meaningfully different: Illinois averages 1.73% annually vs Idaho's 0.48%. The median home in Idaho costs $425K vs $275K in Illinois. Politically, Idaho voted Republican in 2024 (R+30.0) while Illinois went Democratic (D+14.0).

Illinois

Idaho

Taxes

4.95%

Income Tax (top rate)

5.8%

1.73%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.48%/yr

8.82%

Sales Tax (avg)

6.02%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

COL Index (100=avg)

$275K

Median Home Price

$425K

$1,400/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,500/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$800/yr

Crime & Safety

413

Violent Crime / 100K

228

1,666

Property Crime / 100K

1,535

269

Sex Offenders / 100K

284

203

Homeless / 100K

137

Healthcare

#20 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#32 of 50

77.2 yrs

Life Expectancy

77.7 yrs

7.4%

Uninsured Rate

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#16 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#30 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Childcare

$1,650/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$960/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$105/mo

$510/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$480/mo

#40 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#20 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+14.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+30.0

Category wins

Illinois

Idaho

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