Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Illinois to Missouri
The border battle. Illinois' 4.95% flat slightly exceeds Missouri's 4.8% effective rate, but income tax difference is tiny ($260/year at $100K). Property tax is the decision-maker: Illinois 2.08% (2nd-highest nationally) vs Missouri 0.93%. On $400K home: IL $8,320/year vs MO $3,720—MO saves $4,600 annually. Total at $100K + $400K home: Missouri saves $4,860/year. St. Louis metro straddles both states, allowing border arbitrage—live MO, work IL, save thousands. Illinois' pension crisis threatens future tax hikes, making Missouri's stability attractive.
Flat Tax
Flat rate + high property
Near-Flat Tax
2-4.8% (top at $8,449, effectively flat)
At $100,000 income:
That is MO saves $323/month total back in your pocket!
| Income | IL Tax | MO Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2,475 | $2,277 | MO saves $198 | $1,980 |
| $75,000 | $3,713 | $3,511 | MO saves $202 | $2,020 |
| $100,000 | $4,950 | $4,690 | MO saves $260 | $2,600 |
| $150,000 | $7,425 | $7,090 | MO saves $335 | $3,350 |
| $250,000 | $12,375 | $11,890 | MO saves $485 | $4,850 |
| $500,000 | $24,750 | $23,890 | MO saves $860 | $8,600 |
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Moving from Illinois to Missouri? Multi-state returns are tricky—partial-year residency, different deadlines, avoiding double taxation. Get matched with a CPA who specializes in state moves. Virtual meetings, fixed pricing.
Get Matched With a CPA →At $100K income: MO saves $260/year income tax (IL $4,950 → MO $4,690). Property tax is where massive savings occur: IL 2.08% vs MO 0.93%. On $400K home: IL pays $8,320/year vs MO $3,720—MO saves $4,600/year. Total at $100K + $400K home: MO saves $4,860 annually ($48,600 over 10 years). Add lower cost of living (groceries, utilities 15% cheaper), total savings exceed $60K over 10 years.
Yes—this is the "St. Louis metro border arbitrage" strategy. Live in Missouri (O'Fallon, St. Charles, Chesterfield suburbs), work in Illinois (Belleville, Edwardsville). You'll pay Illinois tax on IL-sourced income, then get credit against MO tax. Net: you pay higher of IL 4.95% or MO 4.8% = IL wins (4.95%). But you SAVE on property tax ($4,600/year on $400K home) and sales tax (MO 7.48% vs IL 8.5%). Real savings: $5,000+/year from property tax alone.
St. Louis for proximity: 4.5 hours from Chicago, border with Illinois (metro straddles states), 2.8M metro. Corporate: Boeing, Emerson, Express Scripts. Median home $250K. Crime concerns in city proper but suburbs (Clayton, Ladue, Chesterfield) safe. Kansas City for growth: 2.2M metro, Hallmark, Cerner (Oracle), Sprint. Median home $320K. Farther from Chicago (7 hours) but booming economy. Choose STL for IL border proximity, KC for economic growth + lower crime.
Missouri property tax 0.93% average (37th nationally) vs Illinois 2.08% (2nd-highest, only NJ worse). On $400K home: MO $3,720/year vs IL $8,320—MO saves $4,600 annually. Over 30-year mortgage: save $138,000 in property tax by living in Missouri. This single factor drives IL-to-MO migration more than income tax difference ($260/year). For homeowners, Missouri wins decisively.
Yes, and Missouri is BETTER tax-wise if you work for IL employer REMOTELY from MO. You pay Missouri taxes (4.8%) on that income, NOT Illinois (4.95%). At $100K: save $150/year. Plus: MO property tax $3,720 (0.93% × $400K) vs IL $8,320 (2.08%)—save $4,600/year. Total remote work advantage: $4,750/year at $100K + $400K home. Many Chicago remote workers move to St. Louis suburbs, keep Chicago salaries, pay MO taxes, slash housing costs.