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Illinois

High tax burden · COL index 92

Wins 3 categories

VS

Kentucky

Moderate tax burden · COL index 85

Wins 12 categories

Property taxes are meaningfully different: Illinois averages 1.73% annually vs Kentucky's 0.78%. Politically, Kentucky voted Republican in 2024 (R+26.0) while Illinois went Democratic (D+14.0).

Illinois
Kentucky

Taxes

4.95%
Income Tax (top rate)
4%
1.73%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.78%/yr
8.82%
Sales Tax (avg)
6%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
No
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

92
COL Index (100=avg)
85
$275K
Median Home Price
$215K
$1,400/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,050/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

413
Violent Crime / 100K
228
1,666
Property Crime / 100K
1,770

Healthcare

#20 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#24 of 50
77.2 yrs
Life Expectancy
73.5 yrs
7.4%
Uninsured Rate
6.8%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#16 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#34 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
Yes

Childcare

$1,650/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$890/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$125/mo
$510/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$400/mo
#40 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#18 of 50

Social Policy

A
Gun Laws Grade
F
D+14.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+26.0

Category wins

3

Illinois

12

Kentucky

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People Also Ask

Is it cheaper to live in Kentucky or Illinois?

Kentucky is 12.0% cheaper than Illinois. Expenses including entertainment and sports, childcare, transportation, clothing, housing, and restaurants are lower in Kentucky.

Is moving to Illinois a good idea?

What are the pros and cons of living in Kentucky?

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Kentucky?

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Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

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Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable