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Moving from Illinois to Tennessee: state taxes and cost of living compared

Official state tax rules and federal statistics for both states, with every difference computed from the published figures.

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4.95%Top state income tax rate, Illinois
NoneTop state income tax rate, Tennessee
$-63Difference in median rent per month
-8.1Difference in price level
Data updated 30 October 2026 Official sources: state revenue departments, Census Bureau, BEA, EIA, FBI Also served to AI agents via MCP

The short answer

What changes when you move from Illinois to Tennessee?

State income tax in Illinois: Flat rate of 4.95%. In Tennessee: No state income tax on wages. Rents, home values, property tax and price levels differ as well; the table below sets them side by side with the difference computed from official figures.

Evidence: Official source · Machine-readable data · As of 30 October 2026

Side by side

Illinois and Tennessee compared

State tax rates and official statistics for Illinois and Tennessee. The difference is Tennessee minus Illinois, computed from the published figures.

Illinois and Tennessee compared
MetricIllinoisTennesseeDifference
Top state income tax rate4.95%0%-4.95 percentage points
State sales tax rate6.25%7%+0.75 percentage points
Median gross rent per month$1,419$1,356$-63
Median home value$294,400$341,200+$46,800
Property tax as a share of home value1.92%0.46%-1.46 percentage points
Price level (US = 100)100.091.9-8.1
Residential electricity price19.23 cents per kWh13.8 cents per kWh-5.43 cents per kWh

Difference = destination minus origin. Income tax differences are in percentage points. State level only; local taxes are not included.

State tax rules

Tax rules in Illinois and Tennessee

State income tax: Illinois
Flat rate of 4.95%
Source
Estate tax: Illinois
Illinois levies an estate tax with a $4,000,000 exclusion amount.
Source
Inheritance tax: Illinois
Illinois has no inheritance tax for current estates; inheritance tax releases are needed only for decedents who died before 1 January 1983.
Source
Who is a resident: Illinois
Illinois treats a person as a resident if domiciled there, where they live and intend to return after temporary absences.
Source
Estate tax exemption: Illinois
$4,000,000
Source
Sales tax: Illinois
Statewide rate 6.25%; local rates may be added
Source
State income tax: Tennessee
No state income tax on wages
Source
Capital gains: Tennessee
Tennessee does not tax capital gains; the Hall tax on dividends and interest is repealed and there is no other individual income tax.
Source
Inheritance tax: Tennessee
The Tennessee inheritance tax is no longer imposed after 31 December 2015.
Source
Sales tax: Tennessee
Statewide rate 7%; local rates may be added
Source

All figures for Illinois · All figures for Tennessee

Back to the state overview · Methodology and sources

Questions

Illinois to Tennessee: common questions

How does state income tax differ between Illinois and Tennessee?

In Illinois: Flat rate of 4.95%. In Tennessee: No state income tax on wages. Federal income tax is the same in both states.

Does Illinois keep taxing me after I move to Tennessee?

The old state can still tax income earned there, and some states test whether you really gave up your domicile. Keep evidence of the move: a new home, driving licence, voter registration and where you spend your days. Each state page quotes the residency test from the official source.

Are these figures a personal tax calculation?

No. They are statutory rates and official statistics. Your own bill depends on your income, deductions and local taxes. For a personal calculation use the state revenue department or a tax adviser.

Information, not tax or legal advice. Rates are statutory state rates for the stated year; local income, sales and property taxes, deductions and federal tax are not included. Statistics are the latest official releases for the year shown. Confirm your own position with the state revenue department or a tax adviser.

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Residence, tax domicile and timing decide what a move is worth. Our consultants help you weigh state tax, cost of living and your immigration status together, in confidence.

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