HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Illinois VS COUNTRY B Georgia

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for Illinois and Georgia in 2026.

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated April 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
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OVERVIEW
The property tax surprise. Illinois' 4.95% flat rate beats Georgia's 5.49%, but property tax reverses everything. At $100,000 income: Illinois $4,950 vs Georgia $5,490—IL saves $540/year on income tax. BUT Illinois has 2nd-highest property tax (2.08%) vs Georgia (0.87%). On $400K home: IL pays $8,32…
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.
🌽
COUNTRY A
Illinois
TAX RATE
4.95%
Flat Tax
Flat rate + high property
🍑
COUNTRY B
Georgia
TAX RATE
5.49%
Flat Tax
Changed to flat 5.49% in 2024
TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Georgia → Illinois at $100,000
-$540 income / +$4,920 property
That's Complex—see breakdown back in your pocket
Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.
GROSS INCOME
🌽 IL TAX
🍑 GA TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$2,475
$2,745
IL saves $270 (income only)
$2,700
$75,000
$3,713
$4,118
IL saves $405 (income only)
$4,050
$100,000
$4,950
$5,490
IL saves $540 (income only)
$5,400
$150,000
$7,425
$8,235
IL saves $810 (income only)
$8,100
$250,000
$12,375
$13,725
IL saves $1,350 (income only)
$13,500
$500,000
$24,750
$27,450
IL saves $2,700 (income only)
$27,000
💡

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🌽

Illinois Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Lower income tax (4.95% vs GA 5.49%)
  • Chicago: world-class city, Fortune 500 HQ capital of Midwest
  • Strong finance/healthcare/manufacturing sectors
  • Public transit in Chicago (no car needed)
− CONS
  • 2nd-highest property taxes nationally (2.08% avg)
  • $140B pension crisis threatens future tax increases
  • Population decline (-104K in 2021-2022)
  • Brutal winters and high heating costs
🍑

Georgia Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Much lower property tax (0.87% vs IL 2.08%)
  • Atlanta: 16 Fortune 500 HQs, booming film/tech industry
  • Milder winters and lower heating costs
  • Phasing down to 4.99% by 2029
− CONS
  • Higher income tax (5.49% vs IL 4.95%)
  • Atlanta traffic among worst nationally
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Car-dependent (Atlanta sprawl)
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Wait—Illinois has lower income tax than Georgia?

Yes! Illinois 4.95% flat beats Georgia 5.49% flat. At $100K income: IL $4,950 vs GA $5,490—IL saves $540/year on income tax alone. BUT property tax reverses this. Illinois has 2nd-highest property tax nationally (2.08% average) vs Georgia 0.87%. On $400K home: IL pays $8,320/year property tax vs GA $3,480—GA saves $4,840/year. Total burden at $100K + $400K home: IL pays $13,270 (income + property) vs GA $8,970. Georgia wins by $4,300/year despite higher income tax.

How much will I really save moving from Illinois to Georgia?

At $100K income + $400K home: GA saves $4,300/year total ($540 more income tax BUT $4,840 less property tax). Over 10 years: $43,000. Atlanta metro median home $450K vs Chicago $350K (Atlanta slightly pricier), but GA property tax so low it doesn't matter. Add sales tax: IL 8.5% average vs GA 7.35%—GA saves another $575/year on $50K spending. Total GA advantage: $4,875/year at $100K + $400K home + $50K spending.

Is Chicago or Atlanta better for job opportunities?

Chicago for: Finance (CME Group, Citadel), manufacturing (Boeing, Caterpillar), healthcare (Abbott, Baxter). Fortune 500 HQ count similar (Chicago 35, Atlanta 16). Salaries: Chicago $88K median vs Atlanta $79K (Chicago 11% higher). Atlanta for: Film/TV production ("Hollywood of South"), logistics (Hartsfield-Jackson hub), Coca-Cola/Home Depot/UPS HQs, tech (Microsoft, Google offices). Growth: Atlanta +1.3%/year, Chicago -0.2% (declining). Choose Chicago for peak earnings + established industries, Atlanta for growth + lower costs.

What about Illinois' pension crisis?

Illinois has $140 billion unfunded pension liability—worst in US. State constitution protects pensions, limiting solutions. Many analysts expect future tax increases (income tax currently 4.95% could rise to 5.5-6% to address shortfall). This uncertainty drives outmigration (-104,000 residents 2021-2022). Georgia has no such crisis—pension systems well-funded. For long-term tax stability, Georgia is safer bet. If staying IL, expect potential tax hikes within 5-10 years.

Can I work remotely from Georgia for an Illinois employer?

Yes. Establish genuine Georgia residency (GA driver's license, spend majority time in GA), and you pay Georgia taxes (5.49%), not Illinois (4.95%). At $100K: GA costs $540 MORE per year in income tax. BUT combine with property tax savings ($4,840/year on $400K home) and overall you save $4,300/year. Many Chicago remote workers move to Atlanta suburbs (Alpharetta, Johns Creek), keep Chicago salaries ($80-120K), pay GA taxes, save on property/cost of living. Optimal for remote workers with families (better weather, lower housing costs).