Illinois vs Wyoming: taxes, cost of living, laws

Illinois

High tax burden · COL index 92

Wins 6 categories

Wyoming

Low tax burden · COL index 101

Wins 10 categories

Wyoming has no state income tax. Illinois's top rate is 4.95%. Property taxes are meaningfully different: Illinois averages 1.73% annually vs Wyoming's 0.55%. The median home in Wyoming costs $350K vs $275K in Illinois. Politically, Wyoming voted Republican in 2024 (R+43.0) while Illinois went Democratic (D+14.0).

Illinois

Wyoming

Taxes

4.95%

Income Tax (top rate)

None

1.73%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.55%/yr

8.82%

Sales Tax (avg)

5.34%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

None

Housing & Cost of Living

COL Index (100=avg)

101

$275K

Median Home Price

$350K

$1,400/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,300/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

413

Violent Crime / 100K

221

1,666

Property Crime / 100K

1,812

269

Sex Offenders / 100K

424

203

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#20 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#33 of 50

77.2 yrs

Life Expectancy

76 yrs

7.4%

Uninsured Rate

12.3%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Education

#16 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#39 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Childcare

$1,650/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$950/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$115/mo

$510/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$500/mo

#40 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#4 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+14.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+43.0

Category wins

Illinois

Wyoming

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