Illinois vs West Virginia: taxes, cost of living, laws

Illinois

High tax burden · COL index 92

Wins 4 categories

West Virginia

Moderate tax burden · COL index 82

Wins 11 categories

Cost of living in Illinois (index 92) runs 12% higher than West Virginia (index 82). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Illinois averages 1.73% annually vs West Virginia's 0.57%. The median home in Illinois costs $275K vs $155K in West Virginia. Politically, West Virginia voted Republican in 2024 (R+36.0) while Illinois went Democratic (D+14.0).

Illinois

West Virginia

Taxes

4.95%

Income Tax (top rate)

5.12%

1.73%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.57%/yr

8.82%

Sales Tax (avg)

6.37%

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

$155K

$1,400/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$900/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

413

Violent Crime / 100K

278

1,666

Property Crime / 100K

1,380

269

Sex Offenders / 100K

356

203

Homeless / 100K

101

Healthcare

#20 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#46 of 50

77.2 yrs

Life Expectancy

71.9 yrs

7.4%

Uninsured Rate

6.6%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#16 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#49 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,650/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$850/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

#45 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+14.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+36.0

Category wins

Illinois

West Virginia

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