Salary Guide · 2026
Illinois Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in Illinois, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
Illinois Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$45,700
-18% vs US median
Household median income
$78,433
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$36,564
Eff. rate: 19.99%
Median monthly take-home
$3,047
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in Illinois
Tax system: Flat state income tax (4.95%)
Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax. Chicago is a major employment hub with diverse industries including finance, tech, and healthcare. Housing costs vary significantly between Chicago and downstate areas.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · IL state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $70,000 | $6,754 | $3,465 | $5,355 | $54,426 | $4,536 | 22.25% |
| $100,000 | $13,354 | $4,950 | $7,650 | $74,046 | $6,171 | 25.95% |
| $140,000 | $22,514 | $6,930 | $10,710 | $99,846 | $8,321 | 28.68% |
| $190,000 | $34,514 | $9,405 | $13,958 | $132,123 | $11,010 | 30.46% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in Illinois Cities
Based on $140,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Chicago
COL: 1.38× · 1BR rent: $2,000/mo
Rent burden: 24.0% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Chicago? →Aurora
COL: 1.08× · 1BR rent: $1,400/mo
Rent burden: 16.8% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Aurora? →Naperville
COL: 1.18× · 1BR rent: $1,600/mo
Rent burden: 19.2% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Naperville? →Joliet
COL: 1.00× · 1BR rent: $1,250/mo
Rent burden: 15.0% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Joliet? →Rockford
COL: 0.91× · 1BR rent: $1,050/mo
Rent burden: 12.6% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Rockford? →Springfield
COL: 0.88× · 1BR rent: $1,000/mo
Rent burden: 12.0% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Springfield? →Popular Salary Guides for Illinois
Is This Salary Enough in Illinois?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in Illinois?
A $100,000 salary in Illinois yields approximately $74,046 per year ($6,171/month) after federal and state taxes. In most Illinois cities, this is above the state individual median of $45,700 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in Illinois?
Illinois has Flat state income tax (4.95%). For a $100,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $4,950. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in Illinois?
The individual median income in Illinois is $45,700 and the household median is $78,433 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $52,550–$156,866 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.